California native spreading Christmas “joy” to Tri-Cities

TRI-CITIES (WJHL)—Mariah Walker is from California, where she started “Operation Joy.” She moved to the Tri-Cities region three years ago and brought the “joy” with her, making it her mission to help local kids have a happy Christmas, especially after Hurricane Helene.

“I saw a need and I wanted to fill it,” Walker said.

After working for a book company that organized yearly book drives for a foster agency, Walker knew she wanted to continue serving and providing for the community. She now serves over 1,500 kids.

“It just brings me so much joy,” she said. “It makes me sad that that might be the case for some families; maybe they won’t be able to provide that for our children.  It also makes me happy to know that I can provide that for them. I can show them that love and that joy.”

Walker said she loves her home in the South and is excited to help families here.

“I love Tennessee!  It’s so beautiful and so green,” she says. “The people are so friendly and kind, and I feel like when we moved here, we didn’t know anybody, and within a couple of months, especially doing this project, I knew, like, half the town.”

Since the hurricane, Walker said her goal multiplied.

“If I can ease the pressure off anyone going through the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in the Appalachian region, then I want to do that,” she said. “Our goal is to sponsor 10,000 kids this year. Which is crazy, but I think we can do it.”

However, she can only make that happen with the help of others. Operation Joy is growing, and donations and volunteers are needed.

Those interested in donating or learning more about Operation Joy can visit its website .

When the gifts are delivered, Walker and her mother organize the packages and prepare to make a difference in the Tri-Cities, thanks to the kindness of others.

“There are people from all over the world, all over the country, who are sending gifts. They are never going to meet these kids [but] they care,” she said. “The idea that people care about someone they’ve never met, it’s just so beautiful.”

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