Peggy Lisenbee-Wright and Bill Leslie prepare to accept applications for the 2014 Adopt-A-Family Program at Combined Community Services. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Christmas is coming closer with each passing day. Agencies and organizations throughout the county are gearing up to help those in need during the one holiday where it is better to give than receive.

Combined Community Services will kick off its Adopt-A-Family program on Nov. 5. This program is one of the largest programs in the county. CCS works hand-in-hand with other organizations to make sure all in need are helped.

Last year, between CCS and The Salvation Army, 600 to 700 families were helped.

Sign up for Adopt-A-Family will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Combined Community Services. Peggy Lisenbee-Wright, director of client assistance, stated the program is open to new families and those who have not participated in the program since 2004.

The requirements are simple: The applicant must reside in the county and have custody of his/her children (or grandchildren) full time.

Lisenbee-Wright stated CCS and The Salvation Army are encouraging other organizations – churches, schools, clubs who help families or individuals in similar ways –  to share names with them in order to avoid duplications. “We want everybody to have a happy Christmas,” she said.

“There are children who don’t have family to spoil them or extended family,” Lisenbee-Wright pointed out. “We help every child we can.”

Adoption of families through CCS, starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 and will go until all names are taken. There are several waves of sign-up and adoptions. Those choosing a family, or two, are asked to at least provide a food card for a Christmas dinner and gifts off the list provided. “You pick the family and can individualize the gifts,” Lisenbee-Wright stated.

Corporations, businesses, churches, individuals and departments within corporations are encouraged to contact CCS to adopt one or more families. Delivery of the gifts can be handled by the adopters or by CCS.

“There’s no better way to the meaning of Christmas than a stranger loving someone else,” said Lisenbee-Wright.