GOSHEN —

Each holiday season, the Salvation Army of Goshen begins enrolling local families in its Christmas program, which provides assistance to those in need in several different ways, including Adopt-A-Family, Toys for Tots and food assistance.

This year, in six days, 256 families applied for help. So far, with 10 more days of applications to go, there are 127 families who need help to provide Christmas gifts to their children through Adopt-a-Family.

Twenty of those families are highlighted in today’s Goshen News, with the hope that the Christmas spirit will move those more fortunate to help out. The family stories are true, though the names have been changed.

Family 77

A young married couple and only Dad is working. They aren’t asking for much for their 3 boys.....11-year -old Allen asks only for cars to play with. 8-year-old Ben loves Transformers, and 7- -year-old Noah loves horses.

Family 94

This a mom and dad with four kids. Dad is drawing unemployment, and they are getting by with the help of food stamps. 11- year-old Rachel is hoping to get make up, Barbies, Bratz, or jewelry sets for Christmas. 6-year-old Chris likes playing with horse toys, cars, and baseball stuff. 9-month-old twins Kathy and Zach need toddler toys and size 4 diapers.

Family 96

This a single mom who has gone from working full time to part time to attend school in the hopes of making a better life for she and her three children. 9-year-old Olivia likes Justin Bieber, and would like a Lola Loopy doll for Christmas. She is also hoping to get an Olivia Plush or a Vtech Reader. 3-year-old Derrick likes YoGabba, Cars, Woody (from Toy Story), and Lil bill. 1-year-old Mazie likes Activity Ride-ons, Disney Princess, Yo Gabba, and Elmo music.

Family 78

This married couple came to the Salvation Army asking for help on the heels of Dad being laid off at the end of October. They are waiting for his unemployment benefits to begin. They have been resourceful enough to earn some cash by selling plasma through our local plasma donation center. Mom and Dad are asking for some help so that their two small children can have a memorable Christmas. 4-year-old Carter loves to play with Legos, learning games, and a learning toy-Alphie. Carter has also asked Santa to bring him an Imaginext dinosaur. 2-year-old Rebecca likes to play with Little People, Weebles, Legos, and a Cabbage Patch baby. Mom and Dad would love to be able to have a learning toy for her as well, possibly the Alphie.

Family 81

Mom and dad have both been laid off for a year and are drawing unemployment. Dad is now unable to work due to having had extensive back surgeries. He applied for disability and is awaiting a determination. They aren’t able to make ends meet, let alone be able to provide for their four kids for Christmas. 2- year-old Josh likes to play with puzzles with knobs, would like a big truck, and wants a Rock Star Mickey. 5-year-old Jimmy would like a tool set, an Optimus Prime toy, or a Captain America Launching Shield. 10-year-old Nick is hoping to get a Nerf Dart Tag Swarmfire, the Fast Five DVD, or the Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 DVD.

Family 85

This a single mom who has been unable to find employment. She manages to get by with the child support and food stamps she receives on behalf of her two children. 10-year-old Kristie likes books and music. She really likes fun hats, and is hoping for red gloves and a red scarf. 5-year-old Ellen likes books, dolls, and music.

Family 95

This a couple with Mom currently on maternity leave from her job awaiting the birth of their second child. 4-year-old Brent likes to play with puzzles, games, cars, and books.

Family 83

This middle-aged couple with two young adult children at home. Additionally, they are raising their niece and nephew whose parents are unable to provide appropriately for their children. Dad is now laid off, and the only income is currently from one of the adult children’s minimum wage paying job, along with the Social Security income they receive for 8-year-old Betsy. Betsy is blind. Her aunt and uncle said Betsy needs textured items. She enjoys listening to top country CDs, and would need a CD player to listen to them on. She enjoys Legos too. They are also asking for a Leapfrog violet for Betsy. 4-year-old Adam likes to play with Legos, craft kits, action figures, and is asking for an Easy Bake Oven, books, and a Leapfrog Text and Learn.

Family 91

This a single mom raising her two young children with some help from her boyfriend. Mom just got a part time minimum wage paying job, which she is very grateful for. 5-year-old Jason likes Spiderman, cars and trucks. 3-year-old Carrie loves Dora the Explorer and Princess toys.

Family 93

This a single mom who’s husband died, leaving her to raise their five children. She is currently able to provide for her children with public assistance. 11-year-old Eva is asking for table games and a bicycle. 9-year-old Barbie is hoping to get a bike for Christmas. 7-year-old Bradley is asking for Transformer toys. 6-year-old Anna is asking for Barbies for Christmas. And 3-year-old Abby is hoping to get a baby doll, a dollhouse, or a Barbie for Christmas.

Family 92

This is a 20-year-old mom with a young child and her 1-year-old nephew in the home. Rounding out their household is her 22- year-old brother in-law and 16-year-old sister (with her 1-year old). The adults are working, but do not earn enough to have anything extra. Mom is asking for Mickey Mouse stuff for her 18 month old son Jerry, and would also like to have a ball and some books, blankets and cups for him. Her sister is asking for similar things for her son Mark — he likes Sponge Bob and cars too.

Family 87

This a married couple who has three children, only one of which is eligible to be considered for the Adopt a Family program. This family is recently reunited after a difficult separation. Dad is working but is barely able to keep food on the table, let alone provide for their family’s Christmas wishes. 12-year-old Joyce would love to have a portable cd player, hair ties, or makeup.

Family 89

This a single mom with a disability who is raising four kids. The children’s’ father is not a part of their lives. Mom became ill three years ago, is no longer able to work, and is providing for her children through her disability income and food stamps. Mom is aware that she will need to provide for her 15-year-old for Christmas. 13-year-old Ally loves art stuff, makeup, and any music/CD. 11-year-old Megan loves art stuff too, along with Justin Beiber. 6-year-old Linda likes to play with baby dolls and likes Justin Beiber like her big sister.

Family 90

This a single mom who is struggling to provide for her four children. Mom has been unable to find a job. She asks for few things for her children. 13-year-old Bryce loves to draw and read. 11- year-old Bailey likes to play with Barbies and read. 3-year-old Nancy likes Princess toys, playing with Barbies, and "reading" books. 11-month-old Jonathon needs 12-18 month old baby toys, and likes cars.

Family 95

This a couple with Mom currently on maternity leave from her job awaiting the birth of their second child. 4-year-old Brent likes to play with puzzles, games, cars, and books.

Family 82

This a mom and stepdad who are facing serious medical complications with her 9-year-old son Ethan. Ethan has autism, along with many health issues. He is in numerous types of therapy, and requires regular care at Riley Childrens Hospital. 10-year-old Alexis was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Mom is unable to work as she needs to be available for the many medical appointments. Stepdad was in a serious car accident and needs surgery which they can’t afford. They are hoping someone can help their children have a nice Christmas. Ethan has asked for a big soft puppy, "stuffed", along with Lego Walkie Talkies, a Blazor Robot Dragon, or a Knex Cobra Curse Dueling Coaster. Alexis is hoping to get a new Cabbage Patch kid, Zoobles mama, Headbands (game), Fijit friends, the new Monopoly, or the Mind Flex game.

Family 80

This is a married couple who has their parents living with them as well. Mom and dad have both been out of work for a year. They are humbled to be asking for help for their two children. 9-year-old Austin is hoping for the Super Mario Brothers III Wii game cd. 6-year-old Angie is asking for the I Can Be Bride Set (Barbie).

Family 79

This is a single dad who is managing to get by on his disability income. He is proud of his 14-year-old daughter, who is a typical teenager. She loves playing her flute. She would love to get ITunes cards for Christmas, and loves to wear fuzzy pj pants (size medium). Dad thinks she might like to have a hair straighter. She loves her jewelry — bling or otherwise!