December is here and Operation Santa is near.

Operation Santa is a program that gives the students, teachers and staff members the opportunity to provide Christmas gifts for families in need.

Each teacher has been assigned a Christmas child for his or her 2nd block class to sponsor. Teachers have been given a list with the clothing sizes, wants and needs of the sponsored child.

Guidance counselor Susan Burgess has been coordinating the program since she started at Chapman in 2010, but the program was already established when she took it over.

The program has helped many families over the years, and Burgess said she believes the program serves an important purpose.

“It is nice to know that children who may not have gifts for Christmas will be able to celebrate the holiday,” Burgess said.

All gifts must be turned in by Tuesday, Dec. 16, but students may want to check with teacher to ensure classroom deadlines do not vary.