With the first snow in Lawrence some begin to feel the season’s cheer. Apple cider, twinkling lights, sweaters.

For others, however, the holidays are a stressful time, said Marisa McCluer, a corps officer with The Salvation Army.

“A lot of our families are low income and when you throw a holiday at them, they’re barely making ends meet as it is,” she said. “They’re stressed to provide even the smallest of gifts.”

As a part of the larger Holiday Bureau for Douglas County, The Salvation Army, Penn House and the East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corp. have adopted around 300 families, McCluer said. But more need help.

“Adopted,” McCluer says, simply means the organizations offer support to the families in need, in whatever form that might come.

“They just need really simple things,” she said. “Clothing, gloves and toys for the children. Nothing really extravagant. The kind of things we all want.”

“Right now about 50 families still need help,” McCluer added.

The organizations are currently working to get the word out over the next two weeks to help the remaining families in need, McCluer said.

“It’s kind of crazy that there’s only that much time left before Christmas, but we know the community will come through,” she said.

Those who wish to help should call The Salvation Army at 785-843-4188, Penn House at 785-842-0440 or ECKAN at 785-841-3357.