People have one more week to register for Operation Happiness.

For decades, the annual event provides thousands of Clark County residents with a holiday meal and coats.

Registration opened this week at Clark County Community Services as volunteers answered phones and helped those who walked into the offices.

In recent years, the Day of Giving event has helped about 1,100 families annually, CCCS Director Debbie Fatkin said.

This year, families will receive a box of food including a turkey breast, stuffing, rolls and brownies along with household staples including eggs, macaroni and cheese, laundry detergent and toilet paper. Each member of the family will also receive a winter coat, she said.

In past years, families had been able to pick up their food box  or leftover boxes the following day. That practice had to end, she said, partly because of a lack of storage.

“They must pick up that day,” Fatkin said. “We will not have leftover (boxes) the day after.”

The Day of Giving will be Dec. 18 at the church on Lexington Road.

Collection barrels for donated coats have already been distributed throughout Clark County, she said. Coats can also be donated at CCCS, and they should be marked for Operation Happiness.

Fatkin asked that people be “thoughtful” in coats that are donated. They should be new or gently used. They should also be clean and in good working order. Any that are dirty or have broken parts will be thrown away, she said.

Fatkin urged everyone with a need to sign up for Operation Happiness. Some people believe, she said, that by signing themselves up would mean someone else wouldn’t get a meal or a coat.

“There are people who won’t get Operation Happiness because they think they’re taking from someone else,” Fatkin said. “We’ll have enough for everyone who registers. You’re not taking food from someone because you sign up.”

CCCS is also looking for volunteers to help with the event, either setting up the day before or working on the Day of Giving.

“There’s a lot of preparation work that goes into getting up,” she said. “We are always short-handed in the afternoon and for clean up.”

To register as a volunteer, go to operationhappiness.net.

There will also be a chili lunch provided by local churches and homemakers groups. To help there, call 744-5034 extension 7 or email debbiefatkin@cccs1975.org.

To register for a food box and coats, call 737-3636 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration ends Nov. 22.