"We have reached out to parents and social service agencies to be sure that everyone who may need our help is aware of what we do, and how to access the help," Fox said.

"What amazes me is the stories of these children and how many of them are burdened by such adult problems - parents with illnesses, addictions, death - and yet a lot of these children are doing well in school, looking forward to college or being out on their own," she said.

While Fox advises those in need that there is still time to submit an application, she also stresses to both applicants and donors that sending in an application does not automatically ensure acceptance into the program.

According to program guidelines, each new application is carefully screened, taking into account both income and expenses to assure that a need exists.

In addition, those who participated in last year's drive were required to attend four out of 20 free workshops pertaining to budgeting, credit concerns and parenting skills this year in order to be eligible.

The additional guidelines were added to the program within the last couple of years, and although they were met with some resistance the first year, Fox said parents in the program are beginning to accept them more.

"We're thrilled at the parents' response to the classes," she said. "Overall, this has become a bit of a social event as well as a learning experience for the parents. We've had quite a lot who've come to more than the required four classes, some as many as 10 classes because they see the value in what they're learning."

Through the additional guidelines, Fox says the council also strives to offer reassurance to its donors that the council is trying to be good stewards of their donations.

The response from donors already this year has been very impressive, Fox said, noting that it has also been a bit different.

"Many of the donors are asking to take care of entire families," she said.

"They want all the children together, and want to know a little about the family so they can add something in for the parents if possible. Although we are very limited as to what we can say, we accommodate as best we can so that the donors can include something extra if they want to."

Several local churches, the South Attleboro Lions, the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as many local companies, are among those donors who have already come forward to support the drive. In addition, mitten trees have been set up at Rockland Trust in North Attleboro and at Dream Dinners in Plainville.

Among the most needed items on children's lists this year, according to Fox, are gift certificates for teenagers and warm clothing items, such as socks, pajamas and winter coats for smaller children.

Warm blankets are always good as well, as are books.

"I'd love for every child to have books in their bag," Fox said. "Last year we had almost no books to give."

Janette Sears can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-2442 or by e-mail at janette@janettesears.com.

Editorial  Sunday, November 25, 2007 12:49 AM EST

A better Christmas Is For Kids

The evolution of Christmas Is For Kids is very pleasing to see.

The campaign, which begins its 24th year today, was launched as a simple wish by a group of local citizens led by radio talk show host Dave Kane to make sure that every child in the Attleboro area had a gift to receive on Christmas morning.

From the beginning, the response has been overwhelming. The people of the Attleboro area opened their hearts to the campaign, sometimes swamping the organizers with several gifts for the hundreds of children who appear on the list. (This year's list is on pages D3-D5 of today's Sun Chronicle.)

But Christmas Is For Kids, like all good charitable programs, now also aims to stop the cycle of poverty and dependence by educating the families it assists.

In recent years, the Greater Attleboro Council for Children, which runs the campaign, established new guidelines to help both recipients and donors.

Now, each new application is carefully screened, looking at both income and expenses to assure that a need exists.

In addition, those who participated in last year's drive were required to attend four out of 20 free workshops this year in order to be eligible. The classes, on such topics as budgeting, credit and parenting skills, are aimed at making families more self-sufficient.

After some initial resistance, the families are beginning to embrace the classes, Kelly Fox, president of the council for children, told The Sun Chronicle's Janette Sears.

"Overall, this has become a bit of a social event as well as a learning experience for the parents," she said. "We've had quite a lot who've come to more than the required four classes, some as many as 10 classes, because they see the value in what they're learning."

Just as importantly, the additional guidelines reassures donors that the council is trying to be good stewards of their donations.

As heartwarming as the initial campaigns were, it would be especially satisfying to know that the additional guidelines may also contribute to ending the cycle of poverty for some Attleboro area families.

That's why the evolution of the campaign, now approaching its silver anniversary, has made Christmas Is For Kids even better than when it first began.