Serving dinner to a large family during the holidays can be hectic, but imagine cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for 448 and preparing Christmas food baskets for 643 families.

Getting together toys for all the children in the family may be trying, but imagine giving away 1,250 of them.

The City Welfare Mission in Ironton did that this holiday season alone.

Thirty-six years ago, the Rev. James Cremeans had been attending church at the mission when its first director, the Rev. Raymond Lightner died of a heart attack. Cremeans took the reins of the then-24-year-old mission.

"The number one reason why I do this is because I'm a Christian, and I love the Lord," he said. "I want to help those who are hurting and in need."

The mission is not a strictly seasonal operation.

Throughout the year, the mission serves a noon meal Monday through Friday, and provides bags of clothing to the needy. Cremeans said he does not have his final totals for the year, but he estimates that the mission served approximately 7,647 adults and 7,181 children.

Because of business departures and a slow economy, the mission is serving more -- some that have never had to ask for help in the past.

"Things are pretty tough for a lot of folks," Cremeans said. "More and more people are having to ask for help that have never had to ask before. They'd rather be on the giving end."

Also, the mission has a 12-bed shelter, open to men, women and children. The numbers of shelter visitors has also increased recently. Most of those who stay in the shelter, Cremeans said, are there only one night, especially single women with children. The Community Action Organization usually provides housing for them rather soon, he said.

During the Christmas season, the mission usually has 43 volunteers working, but 8 to 10 still work there throughout the year.

"It's a good feeling knowing you can help someone out and brighten their lives," Cremeans said. "It's usually not their fault."

Sometimes, the people

the mission helps are able to finally make it back on their feet, and they remember it.

"Last year, a family came by that was in need years ago," Cremeans said. "They came with a truck full of food. They wanted to give back a little.

"That always makes you feel good to see them make it out of their situations and prosper."

Even though more people are needing help, the mission may lose funding. United Way of the River Cities provides 20 percent of the mission's funding, and this year's fund-raising campaign may fall short of its goal. Of the agencies physically located in Lawrence County, the City Welfare Mission receives the most from United Way, approximately $40,000.

Jean A. Hamilton of Hamilton Chevrolet in Proctorville and a member of the United Way Board of Directors said the Lawrence County campaign has only raised 40 percent of its $150,000 goal. The campaign probably will be extended through January, something that has not been done before.

"We cannot give away what we don't have," Hamilton said.

Nevertheless, members of the community have still shown generosity to the mission, especially during its busy holiday season.

The Liebert Corp. donated $2,900 worth of items such as food, toys, coats and gloves, and presented the mission with a $2,000 check on Dec. 20. Applied Cards in Russell, Ky., donated 80 turkeys for Thanksgiving. American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) of Lawrence County used money from raffling a 100th Anniversary Harley Davidson jacket to purchase 40 bicycles and 15 scooters for the mission.

"Everyone has been so kind to help us," Cremeans said. "In this county, with the poverty as such, people have big hearts, and they pass things along."