The Lawrence Countian who will only be referred to as “Emily,” has a brood of young children that love Christmas. From the baby to the pre-teen, they all look forward to that magical day.

However, a sudden health diagnosis forced Emily out of the workplace so she’s not sure if Christmas is going to be the joyous time she’d like for her family.

“It has been kind of rough,” she said. “I’m on a fixed income and by the time you pay your bills, your money is gone. I’m getting help from my family and the Secret Santa and am really thankful that the school chose us.”

This is the third year for the Lawrence County Young Professionals to coordinate the countywide Secret Santa program whose mission it is to make sure young children have warm clothes for winter and a toy or gift under their Christmas tree.

Emily’s practical side appreciates that the program focuses first on the needs of the children by providing clothing.

“I think that is more than a toy, something they can break in a day or two,” she said. “You are keeping them warm in the winter. And kids at this age, the way they grow, it is hard to keep them in clothes.”

In the past two years the Secret Santa program coordinated by the Young Professionals has bought winter clothes and other gifts for hundreds of children in the county whose families are facing tough economic times.

“I think it is really thoughtful in this day and age what they do,” Emily said. “Mainly when you can find good people who believe in helping others.”

Right now the Young Professionals are looking for people in the community who will sponsor a child and go shopping for them for Christmas. Or if they can’t do that, a contribution to the Secret Santa fund would be appreciated.

Emily knows how important the work of the Secret Santa is to her family.

“If you’ve got a little extra, it is really worth it to see the looks on the kids’ faces,” she said.

If anyone wishes to make a contribution directly to the Secret Santa, that can be done by writing a check to LEDC Secret Santa and sending it to the Chamber of Commerce, 216 Collins Ave., South Point, OH 45680.

Anyone wanting to sponsor a child or more than one child and go out shopping for them, can contact Casey Baker, Secret Santa coordinator, at lcypgroup@gmail.com.

The Secret Santa organizers have applied for a $5,000 grant from Pepsi. They are asking the community to vote at http://www.refresheverything.com/lcypsecretsanta through the month of November.

If Secret Santa gets enough votes to put it in the top 20 finalists, the program will get the grant. Right now it is ranked at 135.