Operation Good Cheer

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers—and Susan Drew is always thinking about how to grow that circle of care.

“Each year, I try to bring new people on board and to encourage them that even a little help goes a long way!”

Her dedication doesn’t stop at showing up—she inspires others to do the same.

“So, thank you Operation Good Cheer for having me! I am always looking forward to next year!”

Because when people come together like this, even the smallest act of kindness can make a lasting difference.

Thank you to all of our 20,000 volunteers!!! We can't wait to make Christmas wishes come true with you again this year. You are all amazing!!!

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers—and for Susan Drew, it’s always been about the kids.

“I have continued to come back each year, helping in different areas as needed truly because of the kids. Many years ago, a child asked for a snow shovel, and we assumed it was for them to be able to make their own money and I was just in awe.”

Moments like that stay with you.

“These kids not only want for the holidays, they need too: clothing, education supplies, transportation and so much more. I knew this organization was a way for us to be able to help and it has given me much more than I feel I’ve given back.”

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers—and Susan Drew is one of the many who has shown up, year after year, with a heart for helping.

“I have been helping with Operation Good Cheer since it moved to Pontiac Airport… I have probably only taken a larger role around 25 years ago starting with parking the airplanes.”

From those early days to now, Susan has stepped in wherever she’s needed—quietly helping make something extraordinary happen for thousands of children.

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers—and for Julie Kaufman, it’s about more than gifts. It’s about connection, community, and making sure every child feels remembered.

“I have made so many friends by volunteering… I talk about OGC all year long… I can't wait until October every year when the wish lists come out… I look forward to seeing everything come together in December.”

Through her experience, Julie has seen the deeper impact of giving:

“I spent some time chatting with a local foster mom… she brings her kids… to help unload the planes and load the trucks, even though they know none of the gifts are for them. She told me it was important to have her kids ‘give back’. I'll always remember that story as an important reminder that it is better to give than to receive.”

And her message to others is simple and powerful:

“None of them asked to be there. All of them deserve to feel loved… If you have the choice to sponsor an older child, go for it… Find joy in making them feel special.”

Julie reminds us that the heart of this mission isn’t just what we give—it’s how we show up for one another.

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers—and Julie Kaufman brings both joy and precision to every gift that passes through her hands as our gift rewrap station manager.

“I love wrapping gifts! I originally got drawn to helping with OGC when I worked for Visteon in the early 2000's and someone asked for help wrapping gifts in the cafeteria. I had a blast… I didn't know I could volunteer at Oakland County airport until 2022. When I showed up, the wrapping station was in the hanger so I gravitated toward helping rewrap gifts that were torn or not one of three boxes. Ever since, I have just made it my mission to be at the wrapping station…”

Julie has seen firsthand what happens after gifts are dropped off—and the care it takes to get each one to the right child:

“It is incredible how many times each box gets handled (probably at least 20 times)… For this reason, the boxes really do need to be wrapped carefully and should have sturdy tape on every seam and corner… Just because each child receives three boxes, that doesn't mean they only should receive three gifts… It's Christmas! Let's spoil these kids.”

Her attention to detail helps ensure that every gift arrives ready to bring joy on Christmas morning.

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers—and for more than a decade, Shelly Walldorf has been one of the steady hands making it all possible.

For 11–12 years, Shelly has served as the volunteer coordinator for gift drop-offs at St. Timothy Church, becoming the go-to person who keeps everything running smoothly during one of the busiest weeks of the year. What started simply—being the most consistent presence at the church—grew into a role that helps connect hundreds of donors to children in foster care.

But for Shelly, it’s never just been about logistics. It’s about people.

“There's this one family that comes… they have adopted, they're on their third foster adopt, and one of those, that couple was in the foster system as a kid. So they have contributed every year that I've been involved with this.”

Moments like that—when those who were once supported come back to give—are what stay with her. They’re a powerful reminder of the lasting impact this program has, not just during the holidays, but for years to come.

Shelly describes the collection week as long and tiring—but in the best way:

“When I get done with the week, I know I'm always tired, but it's a good tired for a good cause.”

That sense of purpose is what keeps her coming back year after year.

“I'm quite frankly honored to help the church be a dropoff point.”

She’s quick to point out that it takes everyone—donors, volunteers, organizers, drivers—each person showing up and offering what they can. And when it all comes together, it becomes something bigger than any one role.

To Shelly, Operation Good Cheer is more than a program—it’s a community built on generosity, trust, and the simple belief that every child deserves to feel remembered.

This Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re grateful for Shelly—and for the heart, dedication, and “good tired” she brings to this mission every year.

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers—and for Kristi Drangin Robinson, it’s always been about something deeper.

“As a parent, it was always important to me that my kids understood that not every family has the same things we do. I wanted them to grow up with a sense of gratitude and compassion for others. Getting involved with Operation Good Cheer felt like a meaningful way to turn that lesson into action—especially during the holidays, when every child deserves to feel remembered and cared for.

It means a great deal to know that something we give can directly bring joy to a child or bring some relief to a family during the holidays. The idea that a child might wake up on Christmas morning with something special because of the generosity of people in their community is incredibly meaningful.

Being part of Operation Good Cheer has always reminded me what the holidays are really about. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season, but this experience brings the focus back to compassion, kindness, and community. It’s made giving feel less like something we do once a year and more like a value we carry with us.”

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers—and Kristi Drangin Robinson is a beautiful example of how one small act can grow into something extraordinary.

Kristi began adopting children through Operation Good Cheer in 2003. What started with helping just one child has grown, through her grassroots efforts, into a network of donors who now shop for more than 150 children each year. She coordinates wish lists, gathers hundreds of gifts, and makes sure they get where they need to go—personally delivering more than 400 gifts to the airport each year.

Here’s what Kristi shared about how it all began:

“Start small and simply start where you are. In our case, we began by helping just one child. Over time, with the support of friends and family who wanted to be part of it, that grew into helping more than 150 children each year. It really shows how one small step can grow into something much bigger when others join in.”

Operation Good Cheer runs on the power of volunteers. Ethan Samuel reflects on the teamwork behind the mission:

“The partnership between the pilots and the Operation Good Cheer mission is built on trust and shared purpose. The pilots aren’t just volunteers who show up to fly. They take real ownership of the mission by donating their time, their aircraft, and often their fuel, knowing how important each flight is.

From the OGC side, there’s a lot of coordination to make sure pilots have clear routes, and the support they need to operate safely and efficiently. When everything comes together, it feels less like separate groups and more like one team working toward the same goal.

It’s a partnership where everyone understands the responsibility involved, and that mutual respect is what allows the mission to succeed year after year.

I’m grateful to be part of a mission that brings together so many generous people, from volunteers on the ground to pilots in the air, all working toward the same goal. Operation Good Cheer is a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together to take care of its own, and I’m proud to play a small part in helping make that happen each year.”