It's hard

to believe that there are approximately 4,000 individuals

in Fayette County who receive more than $10.5 million in

assistance from the Department of Family and Children's

Services (DFACS).

Outward

appearances give the impression that the county's

population is without needs, with families living in

comfortable homes, driving late model cars and eating

three meals a day. "It's just not as visible

here," said Paula Fish, director of Fayette County

DFACS. "You just don't see the poverty."

Families in

need may be living with relatives, rent subsidized

apartments or own their own homes, but be struggling

financially due to an unexpected medical or employment

crisis.

The number

of senior citizens is also growing in the county,

according to Fish, driving up the need for medicine and

medical related items not covered by insurance.

Starting in

September, Fish and her staff begin sending out their red

letter and green letters to clients and volunteers who

want to be involved in their holiday program.

"This

is the eighth year we've done this," Fish said. The

community and the clients are aware of it." Debbie

Dunn serves as the agency's holiday coordinator and sifts

through hundreds of requests from volunteers as well as

clients seeking special assistance for Thanksgiving and

Christmas.

"Nearly

all (clients) ask for help, and as an agency, we couldn't

do it by ourselves," Fish explained, noting that the

holiday program is unique to Fayette County. "We

spend a lot of time and effort doing it," she added.

The Fayette

Samaritans play a major role in helping pick up food, as

in the case of the Flat Rock Middle School can drive. The

Samaritans work out of the DFACS office and help

coordinate the project with DFACS staffers.

Clients who

are mailed a red letter can respond by checking off the

assistance they need. The list includes Thanksgiving

food, Christmas food, children's clothing, adult's

clothing and children's Christmas gifts. In some cases,

families or individuals may be matched up with sponsor or

gifts may come via the angel trees located at Wal-Mart.

Fish said

in most cases, people "will ask for the bare

necessities," items such as blankets and sheets,

pots and pans, sweaters and coats, coal and wood for

heat.

"We

also maintain a donation account which operates

year-round," Fish noted. Monetary donations are

always welcome, and can be utilized for expenses

throughout the year as needs arise that don't meet the

criteria for state or local funding.

The green

letter sent out to potential contributors lists some of

the things needed to make the holiday program successful.

"Our biggest need is food; things you would

typically have for a Thanksgiving dinner," Fish

noted. The ingredients for a dinner are assembled in a

bag and picked up or delivered with a turkey or ham, she

said.

Christmas

gifts for foster children, other abused and neglected

children, and children from low income families are

needed along with gifts for the needy elderly adults and

disabled individuals. "We especially need items such

as sweaters, gloves, hats, blankets and socks," Fish

said.

Food

including fruit baskets and meals for Thanksgiving and

Christmas, plus canned goods and nonperishable items to

stock the food pantry are always needed. The agency also

wishes to collect new clothing to be used as Christmas

gifts, holiday paper to wrap the gifts, and financial

contributions.

Groups or

individuals wishing to sponsor a family or individual for

the holidays, or simply make a donation or purchase a

gift, can call DFACS at 770-460-2555.