Fayette County Family and Children First, 133 S. Main St. in Washington C.H., will serve as the clearing house and distribution center again this year for Christmas donations for toys and food baskets.

“The responsibility of the clearing house is to ensure that families within the county who need assistance receive needed items during this holiday season. Our goal is to try to help as many families as we can for Christmas without duplications,” said Julie Stepter, coordinator of the Fayette County Family and Children First.

The organization will be accepting monetary donations for toys and food baskets. It will also be taking names of the elderly and needy families from agencies, churches and community organizations. It will then distribute names to groups and individuals who would like to give this year. They are asking agencies, churches and organizations to let them know who they plan to help so they can remove that family from their list so the name won’t be given to someone else.

There is a sign-up box for the SOCKS (Gifts) program in the lobby at Fayette County Department of Job and Family Services, 133 S. Main St., Washington C.H., and will remain there Oct. 12 through Nov. 14. Names will be taken for food distribution from Nov. 15 through Dec. 8. Call Julie at 740-335-0350, Ext. 274 for help with Christmas food.

Monetary donations may be made payable to: S.O.C.K.S. (TOYS), and sent to St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 733 State Route 41, Washington C.H., Ohio 43160 or Clearing House Baskets (FOOD), sent to 133 South Main St, Washington C.H., Ohio 43160, c/o of Julie Stepter.

They will be mailing letters to churches, agencies and community organizations, however if you do not receive a letter and would like to help, please contact Julie Stepter at 740-335-0350, ext 274.

“Together we can all make this holiday season a little brighter for our Fayette County families,” Stepter said.