Once again, my church is sponsoring a program to help kids have a Christmas to remember. These are children who would not otherwise get gifts or really have a way to celebrate the holiday.

I’d like to ask for your help. A few kids from the neighborhoods around my church who come from very poor families will be donated a Christmas dinner, toys, given games to play and other activities to do for the day, spend time with Santa, and meet a participating celebrity or two. This year, we are expecting between 200 and 400 children, so you can imagine the amount of stuff needed to make sure they all get a little holiday cheer.

Here’s what you can do — what I’m asking for are donations of NEW:

• clothing
• books (preferrably middle grade / young adult – any books donated should be appropriate for children and teens)
• toiletries
• makeup
• gift cards (preferably to Target and Walmart)

While we can accept toys and such for younger kids, I’ve been asked for special concentration on things for teenagers. There should be about 20 to 40 teens attending. Please bear in mind that these kids wouldn’t get gifts for Christmas or any kind of special way to celebrate the holiday if we weren’t providing for them. We do want to make this special but also give them something they can come away with that they can use, will make their lives easier, etc. Most of these kids don’t have iPods or computers or even TVs and DVD players, so please bear that in mind regarding any any kind of electronics, media, or gift cards you’re thinking of sending.

If you’re willing to help, please send your donations to my address by no later than December 2nd, and I will make sure everything gets delivered, wrapped, etc. We’re holding the actual event on December 15th. I can’t post pictures due to the nature of this program, but your contributions do have an impact the lives of these kids. (Thanks again to last year’s supporters, particularly Jennifer Estep. It really does help!)

Here’s where to send any care packages:

Please do not wrap any gifts you send. You can include wrapping and ribbon in the package if you want, but we need to know what we receive so we can ensure it goes to a child of the right age range and gender (we don’t want a 16 year old boy walking out with a Barbie or an 8 year old getting a copy of THE HUNGER GAMES, that sort of thing).

I’d very much appreciate it if you would help spread the word by forwarding or re-posting this information on your own blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Thank you very much.