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Each year, Clark County Community Services spends months preparing for its annual Operation Happiness event. 

While the event took place on the weekend in 2024, the giving spirit still strongly resounded at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Lexington Road – site of the event – on Saturday, December 14. 

“This year, we…are really working on relationships with our clients and making sure everybody had a relaxing good day with fellowships,” said Laci Scarboro, Clark County Community Services Executive Director. “We just wanted to make sure everybody had time, so we changed our time from 9 [a.m.] to 3 [p.m.].” 

This year, all 1,000 people being served through Operation Happiness were Clark County residents – proven prior to registration by the presence of a utility bill or identification. 

While the event took place slightly earlier than in previous years – with the nearby bus garage being utilized in coordination with the Clark County Public Schools calendar – the preparation process was thorough. 

“The preparation has been amazing,” Scarboro added. “It worked out amazing. We were able to…have everything done last week.” 

For those entering the church foyer, the event also had a similar feel. 

While individuals seated at pews waited to be guided through the process, they would soon encounter a room full of coats, gloves, scarves, winter hats, and more from which they could choose. 

Jenny Gormley-Drury, a volunteer with CCCS, played an essential role in setting up the room – and received assistance prior to the event from groups including the Clark County Detention Center work crew. 

“They helped me get everything super organized,” she said. “On Friday, I have a troop of about ten to twelve volunteers that come through and we take everything out of the boxes and we hang it on the racks and get everything sorted.” 

Afterward, they headed to a large gym area, which was made more spacious this year to allow for a relaxed, more social environment. 

While there, along with much seating, they could indulge in sandwiches, chili, sausage biscuits, muffins, and more. 

Just as well, Pastor Freda Blair of Christ Temple Apostolic Church of Winchester greeted and prayed with many. 

“I believe it is an operation of happiness. I think that we ought to bring happiness to the people,” she said. “When we pray, you can see that they feel better…it is a fulfillment of mine.” 

Certainly not least, volunteers were ready to hand out a number of items – including a food box featuring ham, eggs, butter, and rolls. 

Kenneth Strunk, a resident of Winchester and client with CCCS, spoke of the positive benefits. 

“It’s a good thing for the community…they get people stuff that they need,” he said. “It makes sure I’ve got food [so that] when my [four] kids come down for the holidays they’ve got something to eat too.” 

Scarboro offered some final perspective on 2024’s Operation Happiness. 

“I just feel like there’s been such a shift,” she said. “We are really focusing on the whole person…It’s [about] how the person feels when they leave. They should feel included. They should feel like they’re not alone. They should feel like the community came out for them today.”