Christmas time, a special time of year, where everyone comes together as one and treats each other as though everyone is one big family.

Every kid dreams of waking up in the morning to presents under their Christmas tree from Old Saint Nick. Most kids do receive presents, but many still don’t. That’s where the Secret Santa programs come into play for families that can’t afford gifts.

According to the caringandsharing website, over 10,700 people applied for a program called the Christmas Exchange Program. This program was specifically made to provide families that are struggling with presents for their children. An incredible 5,500 people, mainly families with kids, were able to put presents under the tree the past year just because of individuals donating 20 dollars for families in need.

Even the smallest act of kindness can help make another family’s Christmas the best they’ve ever had.

Many programs just, like the “For it is in giving that we receive” program have taken place for the holidays. Over thanksgiving break, Sugar Grove native Andrea Bieritz and her family took part in this program. For this program, Andrea and her family chose a less fortunate family to sponsor meaning, they went out and got Christmas gifts for that family. On Saturday, November 23, Andrea and her family went to the Phoenix Club in Aurora for to wrap the presents for the family.

“Being able to go and help people that are less fortunate make me feel great inside and it was a real bonding experience for me and my family. The presents they received were really good but it’s sad that they asked for essentials such as coats and shoes. It really made me realize how we take simple stuff for granted,” Bieritz sad.

The “For it is in giving that we receive” program has taken place for years and each year, more and more people are taking part in it.

“The amount of people that showed up was incredible. This project will really benefit some of the most neediest people in our area,” leader Betty Chandler said.

Other programs, such as Iris Kirby House, also raise money for the families. With this program, the whole goal is to provide children with presents who live in abusive households who might not experience a Christmas. Every child makes a wish list and sends it off to Santa and a family that wants to take part will take the list and complete Santa’s task.

There are always children in need of gifts, and whether it’s sponsoring a family, or even donating money to charity, a dollar can go a long way.

Currently, Holy Cross church in Batavia is offering a Giving Tree program in which over 50 families are participating. All you do is select an ornament that reveals a person and a gift that the person asked for. Your job is to go out and get the gift.

The Sugar Grove library is also offering a program in which they show movies to kids for almost the entire day on December 23, 26 and 30.

The library also offers a “Jingle Bell for fun drive” in which anyone for the entire month of December can bring in any household or food items for people in need during the holidays.

Locally, there are many other places accepting presents, donations, or food for the holidays. These places include Kane County clothing closets, the Elgin Clothing Center, Redeemer Fellowship, St. John United Church of Christ, and Batavia Interfaith.

The holidays are here, so lets make everyone’s holiday a special one.