Alexis Light (left) and Peggi Lisenbee-Wright are already in the holiday spirit, preparing for Adopt-A-Family.

WARSAW — Sign-ups for Combined Community Service’s Adopt-A-Family event are underway, with 157 families having signed up as of yesterday. Families can continue to sign up between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at CCS, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw. Last year, over 400 families were adopted through the annual program.

“Adopt-A-Family is for the children who won’t get Christmas,” said CCS Director Peggi Lisenbee-Wright. “They wouldn’t get it if it weren’t for the kindness of the community. We might host it, but the community is the one that does all the work.”

This year, CCS is combining efforts with the Salvation Army in order to reach as many families as possible this year. In an effort to reduce duplication, Salvation Army and CCS will be using the same database for names, hoping to cover as many families as possible.

“You pick the family, and can individualize your gifts. Then, either you can deliver it, or we will,” said Lisenbee-Wright.

Businesses, churches, organizations and individuals are encouraged to get in on the action by adopting families all around Kosciusko, beginning Nov. 5, and going until all families are taken care of. The only prerequisite is that applicants must live in Kosciusko County.

Lisenbee-Wright rests assured that “God gives each family what each family needs.”

“It is encouraging to know you’re helping someone receive Christmas. Christmas is Christ’s birthday, and we do it because Christ said to take care of people. If you really love the client and you really love Christ, then you serve.”