GULF SHORES — It may still be warm outside, but Christmas time is near for the Christian Service Center (CSC) as preparations have started for their Christmas Cheer and Christmas Spirit programs, which help provide a happy holiday season to less fortunate residents across Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan.

Mary Lee Harms, a volunteer at the CSC who serves as a Christmas Cheer crewmember, provided information on the different programs and how residents can sign up for distribution or to volunteer.

The Christmas Cheer program, according to Harms, provides gifts for children of “lower income families across Pleasure Island.” The program works with local churches, restaurants, businesses and community groups to hang up angel-shaped ornaments with a gift request for a child.

“And there are a couple of just-women organizations who do it,” Harms said. “They’re not associated with anything; they just want to help.”

To get a gift request on one of these angels, guardians can register their family starting Oct. 15 at the Cristian Service Center, 317 Dolphin Ave., in Gulf Shores. Registration must be completed by Dec. 12. The CSC recommends registering early.

After the requests are filled out and spread across town, any resident can select an angel ornament and purchase a gift to drop off at the center.

“My favorite part is talking with the parents and getting to write down what their kids want,” Harms said. “We laugh, we chuckle. It’s fun.”

Harms said another program through the CSC, the Christmas Spirit program, is for all shut-ins in the area. This program delivers food, goodies and a brief visit from a volunteer to people who are confined to their home.

Harms said people can request a visit themselves or be nominated to receive a visit by a neighbor or friend. She said several local churches also provide a list of individuals who would benefit from the Christmas Spirit program.

“We love our clients and just want to do the best we can for them," she said.

Harms has been working with the CSC Christmas programs for 10 years. She has been volunteering with the CSC for 12 years.

“This place is just such a feel-good place to work and to volunteer,” Harms said. “We all are volunteers; none of us get paid.”

Harms encourages other residents to volunteer for Christmas programs if they are able. Those who are interested can call the CSC and “ask for Mary Lee” for more information on the opportunities for volunteering.