For one local nonprofit, Christmas preparations start a little early to ensure La Plata County families in need have a happy one.

Kaye Weis, a 20-year volunteer for Project Merry Christmas, is busy through the months of November and December, shopping for and sorting toys that will go to hundreds of local kids on Christmas Day.

“I coordinate all the toy requests we get, and we have around 525 families each year,” Weis said. “Requests that we don’t get in donations, we shop for ourselves.”

Project Merry Christmas, which for the past 30 years has provided toys, food and clothing to families that need a little extra help, is collecting donations and accepting applications from families requesting assistance and people who’d like to help.

“Volunteer hours each year are in the thousands,” said Cathy Crum, a member of the nonprofit board for 13 years. “The businesses have toy drives or food drives to collect donations for us or they write checks. The community really rallies.”

The generosity of local thrift stores also has gone a long way in past years, offering vouchers so families can purchase such things as decorations or clothing for older children.

Last year, the nonprofit served more than 541 families and individuals, including seniors and disabled people – a 900 percent increase since the project’s inception in 1985. All who qualify receive something through the organization, but some families can be “adopted” by community members who apply to donate their time and money.

This year, the deadline to submit applications to adopt a family is Monday.

The organization began accepting applications to receive assistance Nov. 1, and it will do so through Dec. 3.

Applications are available at locations throughout the county. They are listed on the organization’s website, projectmerrychristmas.com.

“Each family provides a list of what they need, whether that’s a jacket, snowboots, whatever the need is for that child,” Crum said. “Every family gets toys for their kids, a foodbox of nonperishable food items and a food certificate. Our main goal is to get each child toys and clothing.”

All families and individuals who meet the criteria, which is verified with the help of social services and schools, get what they need.

There are other ways to give, too. Each year, Project Merry Christmas puts up the Angel Tree and Bell Tree in the Durango Mall. Each bell and angel includes a list of needed items a donor can provide.

On delivery day, which is Dec. 17 this year, volunteers make the rounds to personally bring their gifts to the people they adopted. Most opt to do that, but if they’d prefer to be anonymous, the fire department steps in.

“Our biggest partnership is with the fire department,” Crum said. “We couldn’t pull this off without them.”

Once a year, Durango Fire Protection District gets to play Santa. On delivery day, fire volunteers deliver the holiday goods to homes in their respective districts.

“I’ve been in Durango 42 years and knew this project existed, and when I retired and had extra time, I thought, ‘what a great way to get involved,’” Crum said. “We just like to serve the community in a way that is hands-on and brings a little more joy to the holidays.”

jpace@durangoherald.com

Poll: Are you planning a charitable contribution during the holiday season?

More than $50 - 413 - 39.48%

Less than $50 - 117 - 11.19%

No - 220 - 21.03%

Can't afford to give - 296 - 28.3%