Sussex-Area Outreach Services has joined forces with Saint James Church for the 20^th year to distribute Christmas joy to area families in need.

Between a hefty holiday meal, children’s clothes and toys for kids of any age, Jennifer Waltz, the Director of SOS, is thankful for the community's gracious aid during the Christmas season.

“These are all donated new toys and clothes, and so far, this is just a small portion donations,” Waltz said. “Kids from Willow Springs just came over with bags of toys, and people are continuing to bring more stuff from our office.”

Between anonymous donations, gifts from three Joy Trees in Sussex and donations from area churches, food and gifts are literally piled in the basement of St. James Church waiting to be organized.

Also, groups like the Parks and Recreation Department didn’t forget about seniors. Along with a holiday meal, seniors from Parks and Rec have donated a lot of special gifts, including hand made items.

And the food is available in large part, if not completely, through donations from thoughtful residents in the community.

“We’re packaging a bunch of Christmas meals today,” said Waltz. “One-hundred of those are from an anonymous donor, and the other 185 are from the Sussex Lions Club. We’ll be boxing everything up today and adding a ham tomorrow morning when people come.”

St. James will be hosting the donation from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Parents with children can come in, shop for toys to put under the Christmas tree and even wrap with toys with gift-wrap.