For disadvantaged families, currenteconomic times are rough enough. With the Christmas season nearing,the strain becomes even more of a struggle to provide children ofthose families with presents to celebrate.

    “These children probably wouldn’t have Christmas without any help,”said Gerri Miller, a Brookhaven Junior Auxiliary member. “We wantto make sure every child receives Christmas, but we need thecommunity’s support in it.”

    The task Miller referred to is the “Wish Tree” project. She said itis the organization’s longest-running service project, in whichchildren in Lincoln County are recommended based on financial needfrom school officials.

    “We have almost 300 children – all ages 1 to 12 – so it’s very mucha community project,” she said.

    The “wish trees” are up in several businesses around town,including the Bank of Brookhaven, Wal-Mart, the State Bank branchon Brookway Boulevard and the Trustmark Bank downtown branch.

    Children are represented on the trees as ornaments, and peopleinterested in donating to that child’s Christmas choose his or herornament.

    “The need is great,” Miller continued. “It instills a sense ofservice to be helping these children out. A lot of people have beenaffected by the economy with job losses.”

    Each ornament has a child’s information on it so that people canshop appropriately, Miller said. Some suggested items are clothingoutfits, pajamas, shoes and socks, underwear, toys andtoothbrushes.

    Lori Herring, another JA member working on the project, clarifiedthat people who want to help a child are not expected to purchaseevery suggested item.

    “Don’t walk away from the idea because you can’t get all thesuggested items,” she said. “Any help at all is appreciated. Oneitem is better than nothing at all.”

    Herring also pointed out that if people want to “adopt” a child butmay not have the time to shop, they can simply donate whateverfunds they want to the cause.

    “We can do the shopping for them if they find that they can’t,”Herring said.

    People are welcome to adopt as many as they like, and the childrenwho do not get sponsored are picked up by the JA to have their wishlists completed, Miller said.

    “We’re seeking out community support because we’re limited on ourown funds as well,” Herring said.

    The deadline date is Dec. 8 so that packages can be assembled forthe children and ready for pickup on Dec. 10. But the JA encouragespeople to continue to help as much as they can.

    “We’ll do all the homework for the adoptions, even if you can’tshop,” Miller said. “Just pick an ornament. We’re hoping to get anoutpouring of community support, making wishes come true onChristmas.”

    To make a dollar donation, checks can be made out to the JuniorAuxiliary with “Wish Tree” in the memo line and mailed to P.O. Box169, Brookhaven, MS 39602. For additional information on donationsor adoptions, call Miller or Herring at 601-835-6136.