For Higgins, who serves in the Iowa Air National Guard, it was more than just having some hot cocoa and treats, it was a way to say thank you.

“This organization has helped our family in the past,” Higgins said. “There was a Christmas we were struggling; we could not afford the meal, gifts or much of anything.”

The program that helped her is called “Mission Elf.” It’s part of the Swingin’ Fore Soldiers organization, which was holding the fundraiser. The weekend-long event had visitors Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ashley Oberg, of Otho, brought her daughters Charlotte Oberg, 5, and Adeline Oberg, 6 months, although Charlotte said her sister was “zero” years old.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Charlotte Oberg, of Otho, gathers items to include in the ornament she was making during the Operation Ornament fundraiser at the Laramar Ballroom in Fort Dodge.

“It’s a group that gets overlooked and taken for granted,” Oberg said of the veterans. “I want to support a worthy cause — our freedoms are because of their sacrifice.”

As an added bonus, Charlotte Oberg got to visit with Santa.

Her wish list?

“An advent calendar,” she said.

She didn’t leave her visit with Santa empty handed.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Braxton Richardson, 4, of Des Moines, tries to sneak up on Santa Saturday while attending the Operation Ornament fundraiser at the Laramar Ballroom in Fort Dodge. The event, organized by Swingin' Fore Soldiers, was intended to raise money for veterans in need.

“I got a bell from Santa,” she said.

Katelyn Johnson is the president and founder of Swingin’ Fore Soldiers. She said this was the second year for Operation Ornament. They’ve hosted a summer golf tournament for the past eight years as well. She said more than 2,000 people attended Operation Ornament this year.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds go towards military families in Iowa.” Johnson said. “We help pay for gas, groceries, utilities, rent, mortgages and medical expenses.”

Through the Mission Elf program, they bring Christmas.

“We adopt active, reserve or Gold Star families,” she said. “We make sure they have the full Christmas experience. We have 83 this year. Since it began, we’ve helped over 380 individuals.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Anna Lucy Yung, 4, of Ankeny, shows Santa the items in her purse, including a flashlight, as they visit Saturday during the Operation Ornament fundraiser at the Laramar Ballroom in Fort Dodge.

For more information see www.swingingforesoldiers.com or contact Johnson at swingingforesoldiers@gmail.com

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Megan Thielen, of Fort Dodge, at right, films Casey Posey, of Fort Dodge, and her son, Dennis Osborne, 9 months, at the Operation Ornament fundraiser Saturday at the Laramar Ballroom in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Kannon Higgins, of Gowrie, works on getting the locomotive and cars rerailed and running at the base of the Webster County Sheriff's Department tree during the Operation Ornament fundraiser Saturday at the Laramar Ballroom in Fort Dodge. A model train buff, Higgins got most of the trains under most of the trees up and running again.