Sheriff’s Office Welcomes Donations for Operation Elf

In the spirit of the holiday season, the Sheriff’s Office is hosting Operation Elf to help the families of inmates and we are accepting gift donations for their children.
Page updated on November 7, 2025 at 9:14 AM
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two professional Sheriff's Office employees with large giftwrapped package

The Sheriff’s Office welcomes donations of toys, books, games, and gift cards for Operation Elf, the annual program to provide holiday gifts to the children of inmates.

During Operation Elf, the Inmate Services staff identifies eligible inmates who provide information about their children, like age and gender. Then our staff selects gifts for the children, packages them up, and arranges for family members or guardians to visit the Sheriff’s Office to pick up the gifts or in some cases, staff may be able to deliver the gifts.

To support this effort, the Sheriff’s Office is accepting donations from anyone wishing to donate new toys, other gifts for kids, and gift cards, which can be given to older children or used by staff to purchase gifts as needed.

Please download the flyer if you would like to learn more about donating or select items from the Operation Elf Wish List on Amazon.

Operation Elf not only assists families in need but also helps keep families connected during the holidays, encouraging a smoother transition once ex-offenders return to the community.

Want to learn more? Check out WUSA9's story on last year's Operation Elf or read this detailed informational sheet.

Thank you for your support!

Operation Elf

Operation Elf is a favorite holiday tradition at the Alexandria Sheriff's Office and we could not do it without the generous support of our community members.

three professional staff members smiling and each holding an oversized plastic gift bag with a red and black design
Civilian employee and community member holding a red and black plastic bag full of holiday gifts for kids
two civilian employees loading a child's bicycle and two large bags full of gifts into a car
deputy and two civilians with child's bicycle and large holiday gift bags
four people with holiday hats and shopping carts full of toys
civilian staff wrapping books
deputy packing large holiday gift bags
deputy and two civilians with child's bicycle and large holiday gift bags
family picks up wrapped gifts from a deputy
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three professional staff members smiling and each holding an oversized plastic gift bag with a red and black design
Inmate Programs Manager Gloria Wright, Education Coordinator Krista Sofonia and Volunteer Coordinator Shakayla Farmer carry bags full of gifts for Operation Elf families.
Civilian employee and community member holding a red and black plastic bag full of holiday gifts for kids
Inmate Programs Manager Gloria Wright gives bags full of donated gifts to an inmate's family member.
two civilian employees loading a child's bicycle and two large bags full of gifts into a car
Inmate Services staff put Operation Elf gifts into a family's car. Each gift is given in the parent’s name, allowing children to feel the presence of their parent during the holidays even though they are apart.
deputy and two civilians with child's bicycle and large holiday gift bags
Our Inmate Services team works with inmates and their families, as well as with community members, to provide gifts to children with an incarcerated parent.
four people with holiday hats and shopping carts full of toys
In addition to toy and gift donations, the Inmate Services team accepts money orders, checks and gift cards that we can use to purchase toys and other gifts.
civilian staff wrapping books
Inmate Services staff organize hundreds of gifts, including books for children and young adults.
deputy packing large holiday gift bags
Inmate Services staff members organize the toys, games, books and other gifts. During the pandemic, staff has selected gifts and put them into bags for families to pick up.
deputy and two civilians with child's bicycle and large holiday gift bags
To minimize contact during the pandemic, staff brings the gifts to the curb outside the Public Safety Center and then families can pick them up without having to go inside the facility.
family picks up wrapped gifts from a deputy
A family picks up gifts from a deputy for their children to enjoy thanks to Operation Elf.