Daily Statesman's Operation Santa kicks off

Once again, it's time for area residents to open their hearts to those less fortunate than themselves. In the true spirit of giving, hundreds of families have been helped over the past several years through the Statesman Operation Santa (SOS) program.

It is perhaps a sign of the economic times that has delivered many more families to our doors this holiday season than in past years. Throughout the coming days, The Statesman will be featuring families that can use assistance in providing for their children this Christmas. Many would also benefit from monetary help with utility bills.

The process is a simple one. Any individual, church group, civic group, business or club interested in taking on the challenge of providing for one of the local families in need that are listed below, is asked to stop by The Statesman office at 133 S. Walnut Street. Donors will be provided with the family information, including specific sizes for clothes and toy requests, and contact numbers will be given in order to speak to the family regarding more specifics and delivery location information.

Circumstances vary from family to family. Some are single parent households. Some heads of household have been the victims of factory layoffs around the county. Others have been hit with high utility bills and are surviving month to month on disability benefits. No matter the reasons behind their situations, all are in need of help during this holiday season.

The families are numbered for easy reference when contacting the paper to provide help. The Statesman also accepts cash donations which are dispersed to the most needy of families on the list to assist with outstanding bills.

The Statesman is not accepting any further names at this time.

Family No. 1

A single mother with two children needs help with items for her children this Christmas. A girl is 12 and loves drawing or sketching materials that might include paint or chalk and an easel. She also loves books and music. Her favorite books are the Jonas Brothers collection. A boy is eight years old and enjoys anything with the Spiderman theme and needs pajamas and clothes.

Family No. 2

A single father has four children, ages 8, 12, 13, and 15. Clothes are needed and toys requested include shoes with skating wheels, a Playstation2, games and dolls. The family is also in need of a Christmas tree and ornaments. They have recently relocated to the area and have no holiday decorations.

Family No. 3

A single mother has five children, including five-year-old twin girls. The youngest is three months old and the oldest is nine. The children are in need of clothes and one is fond of superheroes and transformers, while another enjoys any item having to do with the High School Musical theme. Another girl likes Tinkerbell items and Hannah Montana toys and clothes. There is a real need for clothing for these children.

Family No. 4

A single mother with two children needs toys for the children. A two-year old boy likes Elmo toys and fire trucks and a two-month-old girl needs clothes and learning toys for infants. Dora the Explorer items are requested.

Family No. 5

Five children are in this household and the oldest is only six. Twin five-year-old boys like monster trucks and the oldest likes football. A three-year-old likes Wonderpets and baby dolls are needed for the younger children. Clothing is also a need for this family.

Family No. 6

A young couple has two children, a boy 10 and a girl eight. Clothing items are needed, especially shoes and the children would benefit from Learning Leaper, Power Rangers, Spiderman puzzles and games and dolls.

Family No. 7

A single father with a 12-year-old son are struggling this holiday season. The father is unable to work due to a disability and could really use help with current utility bills. The boy enjoys Knex toys and Magnetics and would like a Nerf Dart Tag game or a Nerf gun and G.I. Joe figures. He is also in need of clothing items.

Family No. 8

A young mother with four children, the youngest just one month old, is in need of assistance. The oldest of the children is a four-year-old boy who like remote control cars. A three-year-old girl is fond of dolls and the two youngest need infant toys and clothes, including shoes.

Additional families will be included in Thursday's edition of The Daily Statesman.