Community Christmas was organized in 1995 as a collaborative effort of organizations supporting Christmas projects.  Prior to 1995, Christmas giving and receiving was done in an unorganized manner, sometimes missing children and senior citizens who needed help at the Holidays while others received help from more than one Christmas program. The United Way First Call for Help office assists as the “clearinghouse” for Community Christmas.  Other partners include Sandusky County Food Pantries and the Toys for Tots project. 

The purpose of the Community Christmas project is to: 

	Reach out to our community, spreading Christmas spirit in the form of caring and giving.
	Avoiding duplication or the overuse of services by any one family.
	Allow as many as possible families (and senior citizens) who need assistance during the Holidays to be provided food and/or gifts.
	Coordinate efforts so that services can be delivered in the most cost effective and timely manner.

Do you need help for Christmas?  

Applications are available for Sandusky County residents -
AFTER OCTOBER 15th- at the following locations:  

	United Way Office – 103 South Front Street, Fremont.
	Sandusky County Department of Job & Family Services – 2511 Countryside Place, Fremont (Income Maintenance)
	Any Sandusky County library.
	This website – click on Community Christmas Application Form below.

Completed applications must be returned by the - DEADLINE  DATE OF DECEMBER 7th  - and can be returned to the following locations:

	Drop off or mail to the United Way Office.
	Drop off at the Sandusky County Department of Job & Family Services (Income Maintenance).

Do you wish to “adopt” a family and/or senior citizen for Christmas? 

	If you “adopted” a family and/or senior citizen last Christmas season you will automatically receive a Participation Form in the mail.
	For those that didn’t “adopt” last year you can download a Participation Form from this website or call the United Way First Call for Help Office at 419.334.2720 or 1.800.593.9444 and one can be mailed or faxed to you.
	Note:  Instructions for returning the Participation Form are on the form.  Click on the Guidelines for Adopting a Community Christmas Participant for more information.
	If you’re unable to adopt someone for Christmas, but would like to help, financial donations or  gift certificate donations are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off or sent to the First Call for Help Office – c/o United Way – 103 South Front Street, Fremont, OH 43420. Suggested gift certificates include local grocery stores, K-Mart, Wal-Mart to name a few.