As local agencies focus on keeping financially-struggling Mooresville families housed and fed, they're also seeking the community's assistance in providing holiday gifts to hundreds of children who may otherwise go without this Christmas.

"The need is just greater than ever and we're just trying to keep people from homelessness," said Valerie Chamberlain, executive director for the Mooresville Christian Mission.

Chamberlain said the weakened economy continues to affect families throughout the region who are finding difficulty paying for rent, affording food or purchasing clothes for growing children. Nearly $90,000 has been spent by the Mission since July, she said, "just trying to keep people in their homes."

As a result, celebrating the holidays becomes nearly impossible for those families without the help of agencies – such as the Mission, the Salvation Army's Angel Tree and the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots – who are already facing budget constraints.

Approximately 1,250 requests came in to the Mission for their annual Christmas Angels program this year, said Chamberlain. And although about 80 percent of those referrals – most are made by school counselors and teachers from Iredell-Statesville Schools and the Mooresville Graded School District – have been fulfilled by local businesses and resident, Chamberlain said 235 kids remain without placement, thus without any holiday gifts.
The hardest to place, she said, are teenagers, though children of all ages still need Christmas adoption.
Whether it's helping a family with seven youngsters or just buying a few presents for a local child, Chamberlain said she hopes people throughout Mooresville will open their hearts and wallets to help those families in dire need.
Clothing sizes and a wish lift of gifts will be provided to any individual who can assist, she said, and the wrapped holiday presents must be returned to the Mission – 100 Beam Drive, off N.C. 801 – by Dec. 18 for distribution Dec. 21-24.
"We're asking that if they adopt the children, they go ahead and wrap them. They can put notes and whatever they like to with them, and we'll make sure the family gets them," she added.
For more information or to participate in the Christmas Angels program, email mcm.christmasangels@gmail.com
Chamberlain said those seeking to assist this holiday in another fashion can do so by donating gift cards for those teenagers who are less likely to be adopted under Christmas Angels. Additionally, she said the Mission always remains in need of food and financial contributions.
Throughout Iredell County and neighboring Wilkes and Ashe counties, Capt. Glenda Priest of the Salvation Army said the organization's Angel Tree program is coming to a close. However, she said several children's wish-list angels remain hanging on Christmas trees throughout Mooresville.
"We definitely can use people who want to adopt kids at the last minute," said Priest, noting that the trees at all Iredell County McDonald's as well as BJ's in Mooresville will keep their angels 'til this weekend. Distribution in Mooresville is slated for early next week.
For those people unable to reach an Angel Tree before its angels are adopted or removed, Priest said they can help a child this holiday season by contacting the Mooresville office of the Salvation Army, 704-660-3066, or the office in Statesville, 704-872-5623.
Despite the many Christmas wishes that have yet to be filled throughout the region, Priest praised the Mooresville community for their efforts toward helping the Salvation Army's seasonal programs in the last several weeks.
"Angel Tree has been fantastic in the Mooresville area," she said, noting that many more requests for holiday assistance have been received this year, yet many businesses and groups throughout town have stepped up in support.
Added Priest, "The Mooresville community has really supported us in our kettle program there. The locations that have allowed us to ring bells have been fantastic and the people have been very generous and giving this year."
Priest, as well as Chamberlain, noted that any child not adopted through their Christmas programs will still receive gifts this holiday. Both said they planned to utilize toy donations collected throughout the year to ensure no child wakes up to an empty tree this Dec. 25.
Said Chamberlain, "The Mission will try to assist with the toys we've been collecting all year. We're not going to allow any child to go without. They just won't have as much."
Vivian Meletis, a member of the Iredell County Marine Corps and the county's Toys for Tots coordinator, has noted the great need that exists for her organization throughout the area.
"The need is greater this year than any year since we started in 2002," said Meletis, noting that the Marine Corps League is trying to grant the holiday wishes of 800 children in Iredell County.
She said she expects that number to increase before Christmas.
Throughout the county, Meletis said 65 dropoff locations have been set up to collect new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 19.