CrossNet Ministries is acutely aware of the difference between needs and wants.

The local nonprofit conducts numerous programs throughout the year that address community needs. But CrossNet Ministries' Christmas program focuses on wants.

"The purpose of the Christmas program is to allow ELANCO families to be able to celebrate Christmas," said Corrine Reed, who's been the community events and outreach manager at CrossNet Ministries for two years. "We hope it spreads the love of Jesus Christ. We hope it allows them to celebrate Christmas just like everyone around them."

"Every kid everywhere should receive something for Christmas, and more importantly, they should get what they want," continued Reed. "Oftentimes we look at it like, 'Well, they got something.' But it's so cool to see these kids get something they ask for."

Located at 127 W. Franklin St., New Holland, CrossNet Ministries holds the Christmas program to connect generous donors and families that have low resources.

Families living in the ELANCO School District applied for the program, and the applications were reviewed by CrossNet Ministries workers and then were passed along to local businesses, churches, individuals and teachers and staff members in the school district seeking to spread some Christmas spirit. After the donors spent at least $100 on items on the wish lists, parents received the gifts during a pickup day in the middle of December.

"It's all anonymous," said Reed. "If you could picture Santa's workshop, that's what our youth center looks like, filled with gifts. That's where the magic happened. The parents are moved by all the gifts, and they can get help with wrapping them. There are gifts everywhere."

"My favorite part is getting to see the parents open the gifts," added Reed. "Some of these participants come to CrossNet for different resources. They come for needs, but to see them come for wants, it's really special. Some families don't feel like they should ask for wants. The parents can give the gifts on their own times, and the kids don't have to have any idea of where the gifts came from."

CrossNet's Christmas program is designed for ELANCO families with children from newborns to the 12th grade, and one of the requirements is that the children are eligible to receive free and reduced-cost meals at school. As part of the application process, kids submitted wish lists that included something to wear, something they wanted, something they needed and something to read.

Common gift items included toys, sweatshirts, books, bikes, hygiene products and diapers.

"The donors are incredibly generous," said Reed, a resident of Denver. "We ask sponsors to spend a minimum of $100, and the number who go above and beyond that is phenomenal."

This season's Christmas program, which began in August when applications were made available to local families, was a huge success. The deadline for families to submit the applications was Nov. 21, and the gifts were distributed on Dec. 13.

A total of 800 applications were distributed, and more than half were returned. The program served more than 255 local families, and a total of 655 kids received gifts.

"There's a huge need," said Reed. "About 50% of the ELANCO community lives under the poverty line, and about half of the kids traditionally qualify for the (gift) program."

"It's another touchpoint for our families," Reed continued. "These families might come to our food bank or receive other services. It's kind of like, 'We see you. We want to celebrate Christmas with you as well.' It's kind of a way to stay in contact with people we work with and reach families who don't know about us. It truly is more than gifts. It's about bringing connection into the Christmas season."

The Christmas program, which was established in 2013, is one of three giveaway events conducted by CrossNet Ministries annually. The local nonprofit also sponsors a school supplies and backpack program in August and a winter coat program in October.

Supported by more than 50 local churches, 100 New Holland-area businesses and 700 volunteers, CrossNet Ministries offers a wide range of programs and assistance, including a food pantry, a youth center, financial education, transportation services and housing assistance.

"It's kind of a hub for support and connections," said Reed. "It's just an amazing launch point to help the community grow."

For additional information, go to https://elancocross.org.