The Lawrence community responded overwhelmingly to the needs of Women’s Transitional Care Services after a Dec. 16 story in the Journal-World detailed the shortage of donors for its holiday family aid program.

The shelter, which helps victims of domestic violence, had placed only eight of the 20 families looking to be “adopted” for the holiday.

After the article appeared, the response was so great that the shelter added more families to its adoption list. In all, shelter officials were able to help 55 families.

“We literally received dozens, if not hundreds, of phone calls,” said shelter employee Maggie Beedles.

As a way of saying thank you to the Lawrence residents who helped, Beedles and others at the shelter wrote a poem.

‘Twas the week before Christmas
And all through the shelter
Families still needed adopting —
The world felt helter-skelter.

The wish-lists were filed
In our notebook with care
In hopes that some donors
Soon would be there.

The advocates were freaking —
What were they to do?
And so we asked for an article
And hoped the community would come through.

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Maggie in her kerchief
And Emily in her cap
Slept hoping Joel Mathis and the LJWorld
Were the right resources to tap.

When morning arrived,
There were so many who’d help!
Two days on the phones
And the staff did all yelp:

“I’ve matched up five families!”
“And I’ve matched up four!”
“The boys, girls and mothers
Will have presents galore!”

We had so many people
Who wanted to assist
That we got to add more families
To our adoption list!

Over 50 families
Got adopted this year
Because of so many willing
To spread holiday cheer.

So thank you, dear Lawrence
For helping us out
And ensuring our families
Don’t go without.

Working to end domestic violence
Can dampen your spirits
But you’ve warmed our hearts
And we want you to hear it!

So happy holidays
To you Lawrencians, one-and-all!
And thank you again
For answering the call!