The classic tales of Christmas usually feature happy children eagerly scraping the colorful wrapping paper off gifts tailored by jolly ol’ St. Nick. From their kitchens, seasonal aromas of well-garnished food bellow their seductive scents throughout the house and smiles are as abundant as the snowflakes whitening the window edges of homes all across the happy town.

Unfortunately, roughly 3,200 children living in the Kitsap community aren’t used to this type of holiday splendor. They belong to the working poor—families a paycheck away from poverty. With the help of federal, state and county programs, they manage to put food on the table and provide money for bills, but taking care of these necessities often leave nothing extra for Yule-time gifts. These parents need not worry, thanks to the combined teamwork of hundreds of volunteers, paid workers, generous sponsors and more than 80 Sailors from “America’s Favorite Aircraft Carrier,” Kitsap’s less fortunate will wake to a Christmas seemingly touched by an angel.

The Christmas Angel’s Program sponsored by the Kitsap Community Resource Center (KCRC) has been providing “three wants” and “three needs” to the local community’s children for nearly 30 years. Assistance from USS Carl Vinson’s (CVN 70) holiday helpers supplemented a vital part of the program’s volunteer workforce.

“The support we have received from the Carl Vinson has been just amazing,” said Pamela Varner, head volunteer coordinator. “I wouldn’t have been anywhere near as organized and ready as I am without their help. All I have to do is tell them what I need, and it’s done. They are respectful, kind, hard working and most of all ... they care. When our sponsors come to drop off their gifts, the Sailors make them feel as though they are the most important people in the world, and they are.”

Similar to Santa, Varner and her paid counterpart from KCRC Kandi Balandran, have a list and are checking it more than twice, to ensure all of this year’s recipients get their share of gifts - usually four to seven a piece. All families are screened and pre-registered through their program advocates or case workers while applying for government-funded programs dedicated to assisting low-income families.

Once screened, the families are given an identification number to protect their privacy and sent a letter telling them, which out of four distribution dates they may pick up their children’s gifts, arguably the happiest part of the process.

“All gifts are purchased and donated,” said Varner. “We ask the children to jot down three wants they would like and three needs they could use. Some children ask for beds and school supplies, while others—not thinking they will get them—ask for bikes and high-end electronics. They are shocked when they actually receive them!”

Each September the program officials begin soliciting sponsors and donations, allowing ample time to gather, organize and hand out the gifts. Success of the program relies on the more than 250 sponsors who provide the presents, and the help from volunteers who organize and distribute them. According to Frank Horton and Sheri Jacobson, a set of sponsors from the Gold Mountain Golf Course, seeing Vinson Sailors in action is something they have grown used to.

“(Seeing the Vinson crew help) makes this program even more special,” said Jacobson. “These children really are needy and thanks to the help of these Sailors, the kids are going to get their gifts.”

“It seems every time you turn around,” added Horton, “you are hearing something positive about the Carl Vinson and what the Sailors are doing… like they are really stepping up all the time to help. I would feel really proud to be apart of that ship.”

The Carl Vinson is preparing to deploy for the last time from Bremerton for a six-month deployment in conjunction with a homeport shift to Norfolk, Va.