For many families, Christmas is a season filled with excitement, children making wish lists, families gathering around the tree and the anticipation of Christmas morning.
But for some families across Jackson County, the weeks leading up to Christmas can bring something very different: worry.
When a family is already struggling to pay for groceries, utilities, housing and other necessities, finding money for Christmas presents can seem impossible.
For elderly residents and individuals living with disabilities on limited incomes, the holidays can also be an especially difficult time.
That is where Christmas Charities of Jackson County steps in.
Each year, the organization works to help make Christmas a little brighter for some of Jackson County’s most vulnerable residents.
Applications for this year’s Christmas Charities assistance will be accepted at locations throughout the county during the week of September 14 and will run through September 24.
Although Christmas may still seem months away, the work necessary to provide assistance to families across an entire county begins long before December arrives.
Christmas Charities screens applicants to ensure assistance reaches those who meet the organization’s eligibility requirements.
Assistance is available to qualifying children, elderly residents and individuals with disabilities who meet the National Poverty Guidelines.
For those who qualify, however, the program can mean much more than presents beneath a Christmas tree.
It can mean a parent doesn’t have to choose between paying an electric bill and trying to give a child something to open Christmas morning.
It can provide a little relief for a grandparent raising grandchildren or an elderly resident stretching a limited income from one month to the next.
Most importantly, it is a reminder that they are not forgotten by the community they call home.
Applicants must apply at the application center designated for the area nearest their home. Dates and times vary by community.
Bridgeport residents may apply at the Bridgeport Lions Club Building on Tuesday, September 22, or Thursday, September 24, from 1-4 p.m.
Dutton residents may apply at Dutton Town Hall/Dutton Library on Tuesday, September 15; Wednesday, September 16; or Thursday, September 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Residents of Flat Rock, North Sand Mountain and Bryant may apply at the Flat Rock Ruritan Building, located at 682 County Road 326 in Flat Rock, on Friday and Saturday, September 18-19 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Langston residents may apply at the Jackson County Department of Human Resources, 305 Bingham Street in Scottsboro, September 14-18 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Pisgah and Rosalie residents may apply at Pisgah Baptist Church on September 15 and September 16 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or the Rosalie Community Center Thursday, September 18 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Residents of Scottsboro, Skyline and Hollywood may apply at the Jackson County Department of Human Resources, 305 Bingham Street in Scottsboro, September 14-18 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Residents of Section and Macedonia may apply at Section Town Hall on Thursday, September 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Residents of Stevenson and Fackler may apply Tuesday, September. 15 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Wednesday, September. 16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Michael Scott Learning Center.
Residents of Woodville, Paint Rock and Paint Rock Valley may apply at the Jackson County Department of Human Resources, 305 Bingham Street in Scottsboro, September. 14-18 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Applicants must bring social security cards and all family members’ proof of address, income and food stamps.
While September may seem early to begin thinking about Christmas morning, organizing an effort of this size takes time.
Applications must be accepted and screened, needs must be identified and the work of preparing for the Christmas season must begin.
Behind every application is a person.
It may be a mother worried that her children will wake up to an empty tree.
It may be a father whose paycheck simply cannot stretch far enough after the bills are paid.
It may be grandparents unexpectedly raising grandchildren, an elderly neighbor living on a fixed income or someone with a disability facing expenses most people never see.
Christmas Charities exists so those neighbors know Jackson County has not forgotten them.
The program is also a reflection of something Jackson County has demonstrated time and again: when there is a need, people in this community have a way of stepping forward to help.
Christmas isn’t ultimately measured by the number of packages beneath a tree.
It is found in compassion, generosity and the willingness to care for a neighbor who may be struggling.
For the families who receive help through Christmas Charities this year, that generosity may provide something even more important than a gift.
It may provide hope.
Those interested in learning more about the program and following announcements throughout the Christmas season can find Jackson County Christmas Charities on Facebook.
by Heather Dohring
