Giving and getting holiday gifts. It’s a tradition we honor in most every household across Michigan, particularly during the month of December.

There’s a lot of meaning behind gift giving. When, why and what we give helps to define relationships, strengthen bonds and provide a sense of belonging to each other.

The practice of giving goes back a long way throughout human history.

Thousands of years ago, native cultures engaged in a ceremony called a potlatch, which basically was an intense give-fest.  The person or family who gave the most was celebrated the most.

Bottom line: Gift giving traditions continue because the practice simply makes people feel better.

That’s why it’s important, says a DTE Energy spokesperson. The company just announced its annual gift giving partnership with Child and Family Services of Michigan, which is one of the most anticipated and celebrated activities of the year among its employees.

The program, officially known as Operation Good Cheer, provides gifts to infants, children, teenagers and adults with disabilities who reside in foster care.

DTE Energy employees purchase and wrap three items to give to one special recipient. The program, which used to serve just 75 children and adults, has grown tremendously. This year, DTE employees loaded 2,000 gifts into a semi-truck to be delivered to 700 adults and children, making their contribution the largest of Operation Good Cheer programs statewide.

Employees participate because it feels good.

“This was my first year and I have to say it has been a blessing,” says volunteer Marianne Baker. “This is what it is truly about – giving to those who need to see love in the hard times of life at the most perfect time of year.”

Many of the children DTE Energy sponsors are victims of abuse, abandonment, and neglect and have been removed from their homes. Some have never received Christmas gifts before.

“The powerful impact makes you realize how lucky you really are and helps you teach kids to take the focus off their wants for a minute and think about others,” says volunteer Anita Springer. “The thank you cards we get to read in February really tell us the whole story, and every year there’s kids who write, ‘If it wasn’t for Good Cheer, I wouldn’t have had a Christmas at all.’”

Operation Good Cheer does more than give gifts. It gives kids a sense of self-importance and belonging. It makes them know there are people out there who truly care for them and want them to be happy

Letting someone know there are others out there who truly care for them and want them to be happy is a good feeling worth spreading.

If you want to get involved in Operation Good Cheer as a volunteer or donor, visit cfsm.org.

  Child and Family Services of Michigan, DTE Energy, Operation Good Cheer