Instead of looking forward to Christmas this year, Theresa, a mother of two children, was dreading it. 

                Her family lived paycheck to paycheck, and that was before her husband of 20 years suddenly left her and their two children last month.  She literally had no income and no money to purchase anything for the kids this holiday. That's when she contacted The Open Link. 

                "I'm always the one trying to help other people. Now I need help," she said. "Normally I'm happy if I get a little something for Christmas. Now all that matters is that my kids are happy."

                The Open Link, a Pennsburg social services non-profit, invited Theresa and others in need in the Upper Perkiomen School District to participate in its holiday programs, Adopt-A-Family and the Christmas Room.

                For more than a decade, these programs have been in place as a way for donors to provide needy families in the area with toys, clothing, shoes, and gift cards for food purchases. Whether a family has experienced the loss of a parent or spouse, the loss of a job or other difficult times, The Open Link tries to help fill in the missing pieces with the help of the community.

                According to The Open Link's Communications Director Kelly Chandler, the Adopt-A-Family program has clients register and submit their children's wish lists for "adoptees"  to take and fulfill, within limitations. The families attend a registration session, where they are urged to ask for needs, like clothing and shoes, as well as wants.

                "We're so grateful to be able to help families in need in the Upper Perkiomen School District wake up to presents around the tree on Christmas morning.  The families we serve through our holiday programs are our neighbors, our kids' classmates and our co-workers… Through the generosity of others, we are able to make sure these families get to experience joy at Christmastime, too," she said.   

                According to the most recent census, East Greenville has the second-highest level of poverty in Montgomery County's 62 municipalities.

                "Adopters" of families at The Open Link receive the wish lists from program director and counselor Laura Dzugan, then purchase the gifts and return them to organization, where the families pick them up to place under their trees.

                The Christmas Room program is for families who are not registered with the Adopt-A-Family program.  They may have suddenly experienced an unforeseen circumstance and require help. The Open Link steps in to provide toys and other donations given by individuals, neighborhood associations, schools, civic groups and churches.

                "The outpouring of kindness from the community is amazing and we wish everyone who donates could see the happiness it brings to the recipients. It's humbling to be a part of," Chandler said.

                More than 600 area children will benefit again this year from the donations that fill The Open Link's kitchen. New toys, as well as baby blankets and sleepers, books, bed sheets and so on, begin to fill the Christmas Room right after Thanksgiving.

                "This is such a blessing. When the kids open these gifts up, it's going to be like the best day of their life. My family is going to have a Merry Christmas now, thanks to you," said Theresa of The Open Link's efforts.

                While many of the recipients of these items are clients of The Open Link, other families that demonstrate a need can meet with a counselor before getting involved in the programs, Chandler said.

                The Open Link not only provides help to community members during the holiday season but also offers Meals on Wheels, transportation to medical appointments, a food pantry, and assistance with  GED/HSE (High School Equivalency) prep sessions and testing. They are always looking for volunteers year-round.

                For further information, visit their website at www.theopenlink.org or call 215-679-4112.