Registration is now open for the 2022 edition of the Community Acton Center’s holiday gift giving program, Operation Joy. 
Hillary Lamberty of the CAC said the goal with the program is to see that every child in Northfield has a positive holiday experience. To that end, the organization is currently asking for donations and volunteers to HELP with the program.
Every child, “ages 0-18″ as Lamberty put it, registered for Operation Joy will receive a pair of hand sewn pajamas and a book from Content Book store. The family will receive a hand sewn quilt, and as has now become custom over the last few years, a Target gift card will be given to the family for every child as well. Lamberty said the program has evolved to the gift card approach, for several reasons.
“Parents know what their kids want. They know the colors and the sizes,” she said. “It’s more dignified and empowering for the parents to be able to buy something for the kids.”
Lamberty said the program could serve as many as 1000 kids this year, and the best way to help Operation Joy right now is through a monetary donation. According to the CAC website, 100% of each donation will be used to purchase gift cards. A business that gives $500 or more will be recognized on all event materials, including community posters, the Operation Joy webpage, Facebook posts, and a thank you in the Northfield News following the event.
Those in need of assistance can register on the CAC website. Registrants will receive a confirmation postcard and an appointment time. Registration is compulsory to participate and will close on November 18th. The 18th is also the date by which the organization is hoping to receive any financial donations.
Lamberty said the help they receive from the community is always appreciated and is not inconsequential.
“A pair of pajamas or quilt, or a book in and of themselves might seem life changing, but for a family to know that their neighbors really care about them and to have that opportunity to provide something for your family that you wouldn’t been able to otherwise is really special. That really is joyful.”
Those interested in donating may do so at the CAC website. Visit communityactioncenter.org for all information or contact them at 507-664-3550.
Operation Joy’s distribution day will be December 7.
Northfield PD continuing with Lights On program
As the amount of daylight continues to diminish each day, and people are using the headlights on their cars 
more, Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott is reminding the community of a program his department joined last year that can help those with a broken light they might not be able to afford to fix.
The Lights On! program is an initiative by a non-profit organization called Microgrants, to fund the repair of a broken headlight, taillight, or break light for those who might not be able to afford to get it fixed.
With this program, an officer has the option to give a motorist that has been pulled over a voucher for up to $250 to replace the broken light. Before now, the most common option has been to issue a correctable violation, better known as a fixit ticket.
According to the Lights On! website, a recent study has shown that nearly half of all people who have their license suspended become unemployed as a result, and this program is an attempt to prevent that downward spiral.
In an informational video available on Northfield Public Broadcasting, Elliott acknowledged that $250 might sound like a lot of money to some for the repair of a headlight. But he pointed out that vehicle lighting has changed quite a bit over the last few years. With new LED lighting, he pointed out, changing a headlight is far more complicated than it used to be.
The program is something Elliott is proud to be a part of. Not only does it help someone in need, but, he said, this is also another facet of the department’s commitment to Community Policing.
“You know programs like this are a great opportunity for us to still make sure people are safe out there and see that their equipment is running properly. But it’s also a great opportunity to, you know, have that contact in a way that is – it’s still enforcement, and we need folks to get it fixed – but hopefully we’re removing that financial burden so that they can get it fixed.”
Chief Elliott said there are a total of eight auto shops in the community who are participating in the program. A full listing, along with all other pertinent information about the Lights On! program can be found on the Police Department page of the Northfield City website.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Police Chief Mark Elliott can be heard here
Human rights Commission will host State Human Rights Department
The Northfield Human Rights Commission is inviting everyone in the Northfield community to hear a 
presentation from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights on Wednesday during the commission’s regular meeting at 6 pm in the Council Chambers at Northfield City Hall.
The department’s outreach director, Maria Rodriguez-Dively, and Assistant Human Rights Commissioner Scott Beutel, will give a presentation called “Know Your Rights,” and will also discuss general information about the agency.
“The presentation will give people a good overview of their civil rights and the work being done to protect the rights of every person in Minnesota,” said Claudia Garcia, staff liaison to the Northfield Human Rights Commission in a statement. “Northfield is an open, welcoming and safe community. If you ever feel discriminated against or feel that your rights have been violated, there are resources available at the city and state level.”
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is the state’s civil rights enforcement agency, charged with upholding the civil rights of Minnesotans. The department’s main responsibilities are creating an equitable and inclusive Minnesota, eliminating discrimination, and ending disparities and inequities.
The meeting is open to the public and registration is not required. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the city’s website and replayed on Northfield Public Broadcasting.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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