Applications available for annual Clay County Christmas Assistance program

The Clay County Christmas Assistance Program is one of the many projects/programs sponsored by the Clay County Cooperative Benevolence Ministry (CCCBM). Prior to the creation of Christmas Assistance Program there was no coordination between the various social service organizations, private individuals, businesses and churches within our community. In many cases, this lead to some families receiving Christmas gifts from more than one organization and other families were receiving no assistance.

With the development of a county-wide application for Christmas assistance and coordinating with the many providers of assistance, we have been able to provide some type of assistance at Christmas to more families who are in need. The program is not perfect and after being around for a number of years some groups and organizations are still unaware of the program and its function.

When making an application to the Christmas Assistance Program, each applicant acknowledges that this application does not guarantee assistance.

In 2013, there were a number of families who failed to return the application for assistance in by the deadline, returned it to the wrong place, just failed to apply, or didn't turn in the documents that were requested on the form or by the coordinator.

Please be sure to turn in applications by deadline along with other documents if necessary. This year we have developed a release of information that is placed on the back of the application that MUST be completed and signed so there is no delay in processing the application.

Applications are available now to schools, agencies, organizations, etc. and can be dropped off at the Division of Child Services, Housing Authority, or Hamilton Center up to Nov. 14.

We appreciate all of our contributors that helped make these families have an enjoyable Christmas. Without your help we would not have been able to provide for the families whom are in need the most. If your church, agency, organization, business or even yourself would like to contribute to this county wide effort to coordinate assistance towards families in need for this upcoming 2014 Christmas, please contact Monica at 765-280-3130.