Suzie Wollek remembers the early days of Santa’s Workshop, a nonprofit organization established to provide holiday cheer to the children of financially strapped Fort Hood military Families.

“Ninety-nine percent of the items we gave out then were used items,” Wollek said of her early days volunteering with the group in the mid-1990s. “It stayed that way until about 1998.”

Initially established by the then-13th Corps Support Command, in 1998 the organization expanded to an installation-wide effort. Wollek said the organization expanded its ability to help more Fort Hood children, and with widening support from the military and outlying Central Texas communities, started delivering only new toys to needy kids by 2000.

“In 2000, we also moved to the Tax Center,” Wollek said of the workshop’s current location.

Wollek is the longest serving member of the Santa’s Workshop Board of Directors.

Wollek became a board member in 2000, as the Operational Test Command representative. Even though she retired from federal service in 2009, she stayed on as OTC’s representative.

Carolyn Crissman is the president of SWS. She started her involvement with the nonprofit three years ago as an “elf,” volunteers who assist parents pick out toys for their children.

The application period for Families in need opened in October, though Crissman said additional applications were taken in November from recently redeployed units. Applications are first vetted through unit command financial specialists, who then turn them into SWS. The applications are then reviewed by SWS board members and processed.

Crissman said having commands involved in the application process assists not only the workshop, but the Families themselves.

“You can’t just walk in and apply,” she said, “because of the relationship between Santa’s Workshop and commands. There’s a reason behind that. Besides getting help for the holidays, commands can get the Families financial counseling and debt consolidation advice. The goal is that they won’t be back next year.”

Crissman said some units have made financial counseling mandatory for Families applying to SWS. While she can see the need for it, it’s a cause for concern.

“I’m a little concerned that it will stop some people from applying,” she said.

Once approved, Families “shop” for their children inside the workshop, escorted by an elf volunteer.

“When a Family comes in, many times these are the only toys their kids will get for Christmas,” Crissman said. “When they walk into Santa’s Workshop and see the number one thing on their child’s list, we see amazing reactions. I’ve seen big, burly Soldiers with tears in their eyes knowing their child won’t be disappointed on Christmas Day.”

The shopping season this year at SWS begins Monday. For nearly two weeks, more than 1,200 Families will come to the workshop to receive toys for more than 3,000 children. It’s non-stop work for SWS’s board members and the additional volunteer elves.

“Every 15 minutes, we get in 15 more Families,” Marcy Panaro, SWS treasurer, said. Panaro began her involvement with the nonprofit as an elf, as well, helping Families shop for their children and restocking shelves each day.

“We encourage leaders to allow their Soldiers to come at their scheduled time,” Crissman added.

Each child, ages six months to 12 years, receives two toys, a book and a game the Family can play together, encouraging quality Family time. In addition, there are other “stocking stuffer” items available, such as free DVDs courtesy of the USO. The quality of the items never ceased to impress Panaro, or the patrons of the workshop.

“The Families are so grateful,” she said. “I’m shocked at the quality of toys we put on the shelves.”

Panaro’s own children, who helped fill DVD racks, have also peeked into the workshop toy room and have come up with some Christmas gift ideas themselves.

“I like the Legos and the Nerf guns,” her son, Dominic, 9, interjected during the interview with his mom. Panaro said the SWS organization manages an annual budget exceeding $100,000, which includes toy donations. They rely on donations and fundraisers throughout the year to help ensure a happy holiday season for Fort Hood children.

“We have several organizations who have been generous supporters year after year,” Crissman said. “The Fort Hood Officers’ Spouses’ Club gives us more than $10,000 each year. The Thrift Shop is also a big contributor.”

Oftentimes Families supported by the workshop volunteer themselves after receiving assistance.

“They’ll say, ‘I can’t give you money, but what can I do to help?’” Crissman said. “We tell them, it’s a gift for your Family. Enjoy your Christmas.”

Panaro said the nonprofit is always looking for volunteers throughout the year, not just during the holiday season. Anyone interested in volunteering with SWS can contact them through their website – www.swsfh.com – or via email at swsforthood@gmail.com.

The warm feeling brought on by holiday cheer and the gift of giving, Crissman said, is what keeps bringing volunteers back year after year.

“I’ll do it until I can’t anymore,” Wollek said. “It’s more rewarding than any work I ever got paid for. It’s magical.”