About OPERATION E.L.F.

On December 5th, 2025, the Putnam County Youth Bureau, Toys for Tots, and the Department of Social Services and Mental Health will be hosting the 3rd Operation E.L.F. formerly known as Holiday Market. Last year’s Holiday Market event was a success, and we are hoping to make this year even better for families.

For some members of our community, it continues to be a daily struggle just to make ends meet. With the current state of inflation and the holidays rapidly approaching, we at the Putnam County Youth Bureau have come up with a way to alleviate a little bit of the stress associated with not being able to spend extra money on gifts. Operation E.L.F (Elevating Local Families) will be an opportunity for parents to provide gifts for their children at no expense to their family.

The parents will choose from toys provided by Toys for Tots in conjunction with the Department of Social Services and Mental Health, in a classroom at the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services building (112 Old Rt. 6 Carmel NY 10512), while their children watch a movie and do Holiday craft activities in the auditorium. By doing it this way, the children will be unaware that their parents did not purchase the gifts. If families want to give their gifts that night, we ask that they do it after the event, to ensure that privacy is kept amongst the other families. We will provide the parents with a bag to hide the gifts and an opportunity for them to put the toys in their vehicles, while the children are preoccupied with the Holiday activities. In addition, there will be refreshments and photo opportunities with Santa offered to the families at no cost.

If you feel that you and your family can benefit from this event, please scan the QR code on the flyer and complete the Registration Jot Form. There will be two time slots to choose from this year to accommodate all families and evening routines. Each family will be able to choose two toys per child they registered. We have also attached a Volunteer Jot Form for anyone who would like to help. Thank you in advance, we look forward to serving you at this event!

As a Volunteer

○ Volunteers: Can come to set up and organize the night before, we will be setting up the rooms for the event. During the event, there are multiple options for volunteer positions, including :
○ Help with check in
○ Help with crafts and activities
○ Hand out refreshments for either children or adults
○ Wrap presents
○ Help parents choose gifts
○ Help bring things to cars
Help with pictures with Santa

As an Attendee

Attendees: You will come and check in, you will be handed a number and tickets. That number correlates to your shopping time, and the tickets correlate to the kids you have registered. You can choose 2 gifts per child you registered.

While waiting for your time your child can have a snack in the lobby, once done, you can head into the auditorium. There will be craft activities and a movie in there for the kids to participate in. You will also have the chance to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus if you choose.

Once your number is called, the kids stay in the auditorium, and you come to the back room to choose gifts. While in the back room, there will be refreshments for you and toys for you to choose from.
There will be volunteers to help guide you to the best gifts for your child, then you can bring the gifts to be wrapped. You will be given a bag to hide the gifts in and given a chance to bring the gifts to your car to hide.

Please keep in mind that if you are giving your child the gifts at the event, please do it after you have left.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the time and location of the event?

A: Operation E.L.F. is on December 5th 2025 from 5pm-8pm. It will take place at the Bureau of Emergency Services Building, 112 Old Rte 6 Carmel NY 10512.

Q: Is this event free?

A: Yes, the entire event is free, the night includes light refreshments for adults and children. Photos with Santa, arts and crafts and a movie. As well as private time for the parents to choose gifts for their children. You will be allotted 2 presents per child that you register.

Q: Do I have to register?

A: Yes. Registration is necessary to ensure that all parents have an equal opportunity to choose gifts. It is also necessary so we have enough toys for all families. All registrants MUST go through the Youth Bureau please.

Please do not bring additional people who have not registered.

Q: Where do the toys come from?

A: The Youth Bureau has been fortunate to have a relationship with Toys for Tots. Some toys will be donations through them and some are purchased through their gracious funding.

Kids are not allowed to go into the toy area, our hope is to keep it a surprise for families. If you would like to give your children the gifts that night, please wait until after the event.

Q: Is there a difference between time slots?

A: No, there is no difference other than you can choose which works better for your family.

Q: I would like to volunteer to help, are there any opportunities?

You can come help set up the night before on December 4th, 2025 between 2pm and 6pm. That includes setting up the toys and rooms for event. You can register for this through the QR code as well, just choose it from the drop down.
Or you can volunteer for the night of the event, December 5th, 2025 4:30 pm-8:30pm . You can register for this through the QR code as well, just choose it from the drop down.
We need people to :

Help with check in
Help with crafts and activities
Hand out refreshments for either children or adults
Wrap presents
Help parents choose gifts
Help bring things to cars
Help with pictures with Santa

Q: If I need community service hours, does this volunteer work count towards it?

A: Yes, we will grant you community service hours for your volunteer time.

Book Drive Donations

The Youth Council is having a book drive for Operation E.L.F. if you would like to donate gently used or new books, please reach out to Naomi – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Juliette – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . All donations will be distributed at the event, any left overs will go to local pre-k's and daycares. Deadline for donations will be November 25th