MONROE - Tracy Thomas bought a home in 2007, started a new job in 2008 and lost it a few months later. Christmas looked slim for her now 8-year-old son.

The sudden loss of income coupled with a new house payment “kind of immobilizes you,” she said. It wasn’t long before the single mom enrolled at South Piedmont Community College, where some friends mentioned the Christmas Bureau of Union County.

Run by the Union County Department of Social Services, the Christmas Bureau counts on donors and sponsor families to provide gifts for Union County residents, from children to the elderly. The bureau is accepting donations, hoping to assist more than 2,000 families this season.

“I thought, ‘I can’t do this,’” Thomas said. “I’ve never had to reach out to the community for help.” Although she was hesitant, Thomas signed up and was connected to a sponsor couple from Wingate University. The couple didn’t have much money, either, she said, but wanted to help someone else for Christmas.

“We all need each other,” she said, tears coming to her eyes. Her son got coloring books and new shoes; she received mixing bowls and “the neatest pocketbook.”

DSS also heads a commodity distribution program. Just over 1,300 families took advantage of the program in May; that increased to almost 1,700 families in September.

Based on those numbers, Haney expects the need at Christmas to be higher than last year. People begin applying for holiday assistance this month.

“The number of families that apply will be huge,” she said. “My concern is that donations might be down.”

Referrals come from several agencies and organizations, including DSS, United Way, the Union County Health Department, Council on Aging and public school system.

Some people give monetary donations, while others prefer to drop off unwrapped items at the Bureau’s temporary headquarters in Monroe. Those interested in helping can also sponsor a specific family. Sponsors include churches, civic groups, businesses and individuals.

Like Thomas, Teresa Sadlowski was reluctant to accept help from the Christmas Bureau. She didn’t even know about it until a co-worker suggested she look into it.

“I was very uncomfortable,” she said. “I don’t like asking anybody for anything.”

Sadlowski has two children — 9 and 15 — and didn’t have much to offer them on a hairdresser’s income.

“There was nothing under the tree and it was close to Christmas,” she said. Sadlowski and her husband had separated and much of her paycheck went to rent.

“When you’re stuck, you’re stuck,” she said, and decided to apply for assistance. Her children were thrilled with their clothes and iPods, and Sadlowski got a gift card to her favorite store.

Not many people donate gifts for teenagers, Haney said, but hoodies, sports equipment and hair styling tools are always welcome. Bicycles for younger children are also needed.

“Once Thanksgiving hits, people realize, ‘Oh no, Christmas is coming’ and start giving,” Haney said. All donations are appreciated, she said, but the bureau will be better prepared for distribution if donations come in earlier.

Coats for the bureau’s coat drive must be in by Dec. 1 for distribution on Dec. 5. Other donations are distributed shortly after.

Many of the bureau’s clients are unemployed. Others work, but their hours are cut back or “they just can’t make ends meet with what they do have,” Haney said. With help from the bureau, parents won’t have to choose between gifts and paying the power bill, she added.

“It’s not that we think the gifts are important; it’s their basic needs that are important. ... And all parents want their kids to have more than they did.”

Sadlowski said she is grateful for all the people who pitched in to save the holiday; it felt good to watch her children open their gifts.

Families must provide proof of income to apply.

Those who want to help but don’t have much money themselves can fill stockings or volunteer time, Haney said. Help organizing and distributing items is needed especially after Thanksgiving when volunteers dwindle.

Donations can be dropped off at DSS, located at 1212 Roosevelt Blvd., until Oct. 21. After that, donations will go to the Christmas Bureau at 1416 Skyway Drive in Monroe.

For more information, contact Haney at 704-296-4312 before Oct. 22. After Oct. 22, call the Christmas Bureau at 704-292-2980.

BREAKOUT BOX

The Christmas Bureau of Union County assisted more than 2,000 families last year — 370 through sponsors, 1,157 through the gift tree. Those helped through the gift tree were down from 1,500 the year before.

OTHER CHANCES TO DONATE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

The Arc of Union County is starting a new initiative this year to expand its assistance base.

Operation Arc Angel, formerly Operation Santa Claus, will provide gifts to people with developmental disabilities as well as their low-income families this Christmas. Arc donors assisted nearly 300 people last year.

The Arc serves infants, children, adults and seniors with disabilities, as well as those who support them.

In the past, the Arc distributed gifts only to individuals with developmental disabilities. Assistant director Cindy Carroll said the agency wants to change that to make sure no one is left out. It could be the case that of a family’s two children, one received a gift through the Arc, but the family still can’t afford gifts for the other.

The agency will also offer gifts to adults living in group homes or state medical facilities for the disabled.

New and gently used clothing, toys, household items, cleaning products and grocery store gift cards are welcome. Donors can shop and deliver gifts themselves, shop and let The Arc deliver gifts, or offer a monetary donation for The Arc to use toward gifts.

Wish lists available through The Arc can be used as a guideline when shopping. According to the agency, a family of four costs about $150 to sponsor.

Volunteers can also provide holiday meals.

Carroll said The Arc hopes to get all wish lists out by the first week of November. Gifts must be in by Dec. 1 to be delivered Dec. 14-18.

Those receiving holiday assistance through other agencies cannot receive assistance through The Arc.

For more information, contact Carroll at 704-261-1550.

— Staff Writer Tiffany Lane