Operation Holiday, a Pottstown seasonal outreach of the The Mercury’s staff and leaders, recently transformed the holiday season of a local single mom.

Lisa (last name withheld for privacy purposes) hit two rough patches in the fall: She required surgery to remove her gall bladder. And then lost her warehouse job.

She launched an employment hunt immediately, but her prospects were limited. A position that fit with her need for childcare and her post-op physical limitations proved tough to find.

Lisa’s medical condition had already scotched her plans to make her son’s birthday something special. And now, just a handful of months later, she was looking at a Christmas for him that wouldn’t be bountiful, either.

Until Operation Holiday got involved.

The program dates to 1991, when The Mercury staff undertook the challenge of ensuring Pottstown’s at-risk populations had seasonal food on a table and gifts under a tree.

This year, it’s working with 22 local agencies throughout the Phila. collar counties, bringing cheer to nearly 500 families and over 375 children to provide food, gifts (via gift cards), and (where necessary) housing.

For locals who want to chip in to help Lisa and others like her, Operation Holiday accepts online monetary donations.

More on this seasonal uplift is at The Mercury.