Operation Noel is available to help families in need by providing food and toys during the Christmas season.

Operation Noel was formed many years ago by Fire Chief David Green to help families on the Sewanee Mountain during the holidays. To be eligible for Operation Noel, the family must live on Sewanee Mountain in the following communities: Sewanee, Midway, Jump Off and on Sherwood Road.

To help organizers get the pertinent information needed to provide for everyone, an application will need to be filled out whether the family has participated in Operation Noel in previous years or not. The deadline for returning applications is Dec. 15.

Participants must make arrangements to pick up their food and toys on Dec. 23 from 9-11 a.m. in the large parking lot beside Cravens Hall, 435 Kentucky Avenue in Sewanee. Please stay in vehicles and allow volunteers to assist in loading the items. Call 931-598-0040 and leave a message, or call 931-308-6534 for more information.

Anyone who wishes to help by donating money, non-perishable food items or new toys may take items to the Sewanee Police Department located behind duPont Library by Dec. 18.

Other locations to take items include Print Services located in the old Beta House or the CAC located at St. Mark and St. Paul (formerly Otey Memorial Parish).

Checks may also be mailed to: Sewanee Operation Noel, 138 Lake O’Donnell Road, Sewanee, TN 37375. Donation bins are also located around the University of the South campus.