It's never too early to get ready for Christmas at the Christian Service Center (CSC) in Gulf Shores, as registration for the Christmas Cheer program opened Oct. 14.

Mary Lee Harms, a volunteer at CSC, said the Christmas Cheer program benefits children in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, allowing them to have the "best Christmas possible."

"We have many low-income families and residents working hard," she said. "These parents want their children to have a wonderful Christmas, as do all parents. We at the Christian Service Center want to make this wish true for all our community."

Guardians can register for the Christmas Cheer program at CSC, located at 317 Dolphin Ave., from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Oct. 14-30 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Nov. 4-Dec. 9. Sign-ups will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the CSC recommends registering early.

CSC also recommends having three specific ideas in mind for what your kids would like to receive. This year, only one clothing request per child will be accepted, and it will be for children who are newborn to 6 months. The deadline for requesting clothing is Nov. 26.

Harms said families will be given a sheet when they register that has further instructions for gift pick up.

Harms said 40-plus churches, restaurants, civic groups, businesses and individuals display paper angels, which have gift requests on them. The paper angels are picked up by community members, who then purchase the listed gift and drop it off at the CSC. She said community support is integral in distribution.

"We couldn't have the success we have without them," she said.

OTHER CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS

Another program taking place through CSC for the holidays is the Christmas Spirit program, which provides shut-ins with a small gift. Those interested in registering someone for the program can call the CSC at (251) 968-5260 or email cscenter1991@gmail.com.

CSC also has a Christmas food box program that can be signed up for at the same time as registration for either program. Harms said this year's food box will include a gift card for a protein and will include "all the rest of the fixings" for a traditional Christmas meal.

The public and community members can help with the Christmas programs by visiting the CSC Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, picking up a volunteer application and checking out the opportunities.

Harms has volunteered for about 15 years and has been with the Christmas Cheer program for 12.

"We are an all-volunteer 501(c)3 emergency aid organization," she said. "Guided by Christian principles, it delivers services to people in need. We provide a 'hand-up' rather than a 'hand-out' service for our community. We don't discriminate against any religion, race, etc. in our programs."