With less than a month to go, Operation Happiness is off and running.

By the end of Monday, 500 families had already registered for a Christmas meal, staples for the pantry and coats for the family, Clark County Community Services director Debbie Fatkin said.

“We have really, really pushed that it is important to register,” Fatkin said. “There is no guarantee anything will be available after the Day of Giving.”

On the Day of Giving, set for Dec. 21 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Lexington Road, volunteers will distribute food boxes with a Christmas meal, some food staples and everyone in the family will receive a coat, she said.

“We generally (serve) just over 1,200 families,” Fatkin said. “It is amazing.”

Families who want to register for the Day of Giving can go to www.operationhappiness.net and register. They can also call 737-3636 of 737-6261 until Dec. 2. Phone lines will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Fatkin said they are also looking for donors and volunteers. Presently, Community Services has about one-fourth of the $40,000 needed to fund Operation Happiness.

There will also be plenty of things for volunteers to do on the Day of Giving.

“To volunteer, you have to sign up through operationhappiness.net,” Fatkin said. “This is a volunteer-run program. There are lots of opportunities.”

Donation barrels have been placed throughout the community, including Calvary Christian Church, Central Baptist Church, Clark County Public Library, Fox’s General Store, Grace Baptist Church, Clark Regional Medical Center, First Christian Church and Heritage Baptist Church among others, she said.

Contact Fred Petke at fred.petke@winchestersun.com.