It’s that time of year again.

In spite of the unseasonably warm weather experienced this fall, Christmas is only weeks away – and the Butler County Department of Human Services (DHR) needs your help to insure a warm and happy holiday season for the less fortunate of the county.

In the past week, letters have been sent out to merchants, churches and businesses across Butler County seeking their assistance, says Lisa Syler of DHR.

The department offers local citizens several ways to share the meaning of season, including monetary donations, sponsorship of children/families, and putting up an &uot;angel tree&uot; from which employees or church members can pick a name for whom they can play Santa.

The DHR Christmas program has met with great success in past years.

&uot;Last year, we helped out 250-300 folks through this program,&uot; Syler explains.

Team pride helps cause

This year the DHR is taking advantage of the local love for all things Tiger and Tide in its efforts to help the needy this holiday season.

&uot;On the day before the Auburn-Alabama game, we are kicking off our toy drive. Ken Gibson of Greenville Motors is providing two trucks which our local Alabama and Auburn alumni associations are going to decorate – and we’re going to see just who can donate the most toys for our Christmas program and fill up their team’s truck first,&uot; explains Syler, adding, &uot;We think this will be a great jump-start for the drive.&uot;

The Auburn and Alabama trucks will be at the Wal-Mart Super Center on Friday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone who cannot make it by during that time can drop their items off at the DHR office, Syler says.

&uot;The local Wal-Mart will also have its own Angel Tree where folks can pick up names,&uot; she adds.

Deadlines draw near

All monetary donations to the DHR Christmas Program are requested in by Dec. 1, Syler says.

Those sponsoring families are asked to bring their gifts and toys to Southside Baptist Church on Dec. 13 between 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The items will be sorted and packed for the families to pick up on Dec. 14 and 15.

A worthy cause

The Butler County Bank’s Melvyn Stone is a big supporter of the DHR Christmas program, one he calls a &uot;very worthwhile cause.&uot;

&uot;I have been involved for years through my past and present employers in getting these letters sent out to the community. I believe participating in this program is money well spent,&uot; says Stone.

&uot;We appreciate all the businesses and organizations who are helping us with our efforts, and all the folks who contribute to the program each year,&uot; says Syler.

For more information about the DHR Christmas Program, contact Lisa Syler at DHR at (334) 382-4400.