UNION — For 10 years, Union Ambulance members have been making Christmas a little brighter for families that need some help.

Beginning in September, the Kids for Christmas program begins the search for a family that can use the help and support of caring community members. The chosen family might have just one child or as many as eight, as happened one of the years, and all of the children receive eight to 10 wrapped gifts from Santa on Christmas Eve.

Kaitlyn Drake said the schools in Hope, Appleton, Union and Washington are contacted first to assist in the search.

"The schools have the most contact with the kids and sees them more than any of us do, and the schools help us decide which family needs the help the most," said Drake. "Now they give me two names, because sometimes the first family I approach declines the gifts."

That happened for the first time last year, said Drake, who said she was surprised because for all the years prior, the families had been very receptive to the assistance. But it's also understandable that for some families, pride prevents them from accepting help from others or there might be some underlying issue preventing participation.

Drake said that once a family has been selected, she personally meets with them and learns about the needs and wants of each of the children.

"It is all kept very private," said Drake. "Even our members don't know the names and I go around add the names to the presents after they are wrapped and everybody has left."

The needs, such as winter coats and boots, are first priorities. Then they tackle the child's wants. All of the gifts are bought by Union Ambulance members, out of their own pocket.

"A lot of people in the community didn't know about the program until I posted something on Facebook last year, which broadened the reach," said Drake. "It really helped take the pressure off the members who personally pay for the gifts, and sometimes have to decide between buying something for the family or something for their own children."

This year, help from outside the ambulance group came from Sandra Savage, Kevin Curry , Lori and Sara Taylor, and Marty and Cindy Gammon.

Once all the gifts have been purchased, a night is designated for wrapping them, and a handful of members participate in the task. Dec. 19 was the day this year, and assembled for the task at the Union Ambulance garage were Drake, Scot Sabins, Gail Lord, Clarence Keller, Nancy Keller and Bob Sayward.

"All of the Ambulance members have made donations this year, even though not all were able to help with the wrapping," said Drake.

And as they have each year, Drake said the final lines in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas are the theme by which they wrap the presents each year, with the thought that through their generosity and caring, they are making someone's life a little brighter and a little happier.

Christmas...

The Grinch: It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.
Narrator: Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
The Grinch: Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...
Narrator: He thought...
The Grinch: ...means a little bit more.

"From the first time I meet with the family, to when I deliver the gifts on Christmas Eve, the parents and I often have tears in our eyes, and we are all so happy," said Drake.