More holiday cheer is in need this holiday season. The Matthews HELP Center Holiday Adoption Program aims to address this need. The annual collaborative effort between Matthews HELP Center and generous area families, businesses and service groups provides seasonal gifts for individuals and families alike. The "help" needed can result from difficulties such as illness or death within a family, work hours being cut and/or larger bills on incomes which have not increased comparably. Many families become part of the program through a partnership with area elementary schools. Some taking part in the program simply come in to inquire about other services offered to address a specific crisis.  Our recent experience with client need tells us that this is going to be another huge year for this program, and we need caring donors like never before.  Every year, participants express what a blessing this program has been for them. Here are what several have shared: "The beauty of this program is it's a community-coming-together thing."(Program donors and volunteers) all do it for their own reasons. They don't do it for public recognition, because all of the work is done in the background. They are doing it for the pure reason of giving, caring and wanting to make a difference. That is what I love about this program." “This program enables us to look beyond ourselves to experience how we can be a blessing to those in need.” “This has been the best Christmas my family has ever had, because we shared with someone less fortunate.” “I thought I was doing this to bless someone else, but I was the one to be blessed!” It’s impossible to share all the tears, hugs and laughter we hear when families come to pick up their gifts.is impossible NOT to share what a heart-warming experience it is to be part of this program every year. If you are interested in being part of this program, please contact Molly Kennedy (704-847-8383 x224 or molly@matthewshelpcenter.org).