Members of the North Lawrence Improvement Association Colleen Tabbert, from left, Shirley Tarpy and Beverly Cates shop at the Lawrence J.C. Penney store for the neighborhood’s adopted families Thursday. The women, who’ve been involved for a decade in adopting low-income families for the holidays, were picking up clothing for nine individuals in four families.

On Thursday morning, in the children’s section of J.C. Penney, Shirley Tarpy held up a bright-pink shirt with zebra-striped pants.

“Oh, that is an eye-popper,” her shopping-partner, Coleen Tabbert, said.

The outfit landed in the cart, the ladies crossed another item off their list and moved on to a sock display.

For 10 years, Tarpy, Tabbert and Beverly Cates have spent the Christmas season shopping together. They come with a list of ages, sizes and suggested toys.

But that list doesn’t include the names of the people who will receive the gifts.

The trio are members of the North Lawrence Improvement Association and the organizers behind the association’s participation in the Adopt-A-Family program.

Receiving names through the Ballard Center and Visiting Nurses Association, this year the group adopted four families whose members range in age from toddlers to seniors.

“This is part of my Christmas. It is a tradition now,” Tabbert said. “It starts the goodwill.”

This season, the group of local nonprofit agencies managing the Holiday Bureau program had more than 700 families sign up to receive donations through the Adopt-A-Family program.

Of those 700, more than 400 families still need to be adopted, said Paul Youk, director of human services at the Ballard Center.

While demand isn’t necessarily higher than last year for the Holiday Bureau program, Youk said families were quicker to request help this year.

“Just the situation of the economy, you have more families than ever that need some assistance,” Youk said. “And we want to make sure we help children during the holiday season.”

The majority of families who are on the list for adoption live at or below the poverty line, which is an annual income of about $22,000 for a family of four. Along with families, the list includes senior citizens.

The women in North Lawrence make a specific request to adopt families in their neighborhood.

This year, Beverly Cates asked more than 30 North Lawrence businesses for contributions. For those that do donate, Cates has followed up with a hand-written thank-you note that she delivers in person.

“It is really just neat to have them so willing to donate to our cause,” Cates said. “It is just a good feeling.”

On Thursday, the trio was picking out basics such as pajamas and underwear for those on the list. They also donate one outfit, games and gift cards to each family.

“It’s very rewarding to be able to give,” Tarpy said. “And we have lots of fun, too.”