Donations still being accepted to provide Christmas to local children

A child's face while opening a toy on Christmas morning is the basis of most fond childhood memories. 

Through the generosity of Highland County residents, an organization working to make certain that every local child - despite their economic situation - has something under the tree this year. However, with an increase in the number of families needing assistance, coupled with a diminished number of businesses and organizations able to donate, extra help is needed to make some Christmas wishes come true.  

Christi Hauke of Highland County Community Action said that they are still accepting donations for their "Adopt A Family" Christmas program. 

Hauke said the program seeks to match eligible needy families and children with existing community programs and private donors, as well as ensuring all needy children receive holiday gifts this season. HCCAO works to reduce the duplication of services by partnering with Community Christmas providers to ensure that more children are served and decreasing the incidence of multiple program access wherever possible in order to increase each program's capacity to serve the community and its children in need. 

This year, after Community Action checked with schools, churches and service organizations to make sure there were no duplications in families, there were 508 children that were in need of a Christmas. Currently, there are 198 children that have not been "adopted" for the holidays. 

"What we're lacking in is businesses, families and churches to 'adopt' the families," Hauke said. 

The program is for children under the age of 14, unless there is an older child with younger brothers and sisters in the household; that way there is not a situation in which an older sibling receives no gifts while younger brothers and sisters are opening presents. 

"Typically, we are able to 'adopt' out close to 300 children," Hauke said. "Then, with the money that is left in the program, we can purchase gifts for the remaining children. What happened this year, we still have 198 children that are not being served. With the budget we have, we typically do 75 children, max."

The families that receive the "adoption" service must have children, with an income under 100 percent of the federal poverty guideline. That means that a family of four has a household income of $22,350 or less.  

Last year, there were 469 children who were "adopted" for the holidays. 

"The need has increased significantly," Hauke said. "We're not getting the response we typically do. We sent out almost 200 letters this year. The response we got was really tepid. Typically, there are 50-100 businesses that respond, and this year, we heard back from maybe 20-25."

For people who are interested in donating to the program, Community Action accepts new toys, some gently used toys and money donations - which will come with a tax-deductible receipt.

"We try to ask each child, 'What is the one thing that would make Christmas special this year?'" Hauke said. 

Instead of "large ticket" items, common responses include Littlest Pet Shop toys, items from the Pixar movie "Cars," and Hauke said "our biggest request is probably for the 'real walking puppy.'"

If additional donations are not received, Hauke said the organization will adjust their spending in order to acquire enough toys so each child can open something. 

"We make sure they have some sort of Christmas," Hauke said. "What happens is that we usually spend $50 to $75 per child, so we would only spend $25 to $30 per child. That means they would probably only get one present or something very small." 

Hauke said that Community Action is thankful for the people who support the program. 

"We are grateful for what community response we have had," Hauke said. "It's always heartwarming to see someone new step into the program and provide for a family. We had quite a few new people step up to the plate this year." 

To donate to the program, contact Highland County Community Action at (937) 393-3458 or stop by their office at 1487 North High Street in Hillsboro.