ASHTABULA — The HALO Christmas program, Holiday Angels Loving Others, is an outreach program coordinated by Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County.

HALO is designed to help the needy with food and toys during the holiday season.

This program, however, does not just happen overnight, said Pam Richcreek of Catholic Charities. There are many months of planning involved in organizing one of the largest special outreach programs offered within the community. Many dedicated individuals from various organizations throughout the county come together as members of a collaborative effort known as the HALO Advisory Board and meet monthly, starting in January, to discuss how to take some of the burden off families and individuals who cannot afford anything extra outside their normal monthly budget during the holiday season, Richcreek said.

The HALO Advisory Board consists of the following agencies and individuals: Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County’s Pam Richcreek; Cynthia Kubitz; Jefferson coordinators May and Jack Howe, and Red Leonard; Head Start’s Debbie Budy and Kim Fleming; the Star Beacon’s Pam Harper; Action Academy’s Cheryl Longden; Conneaut Human Resources Center’s Renea Roach; Leadership Ashtabula County’s Debbi Waring ; and Ashtabula Senior Center’s Judy Witt.

“Through a grant received from the Ashtabula Foundation, as well as the many donations we receive from our community, we are able to provide a food voucher to one of many participating vendors throughout the county to help serve as the holiday meal, as well as the delivery of packaged food boxes for delivery to the homebound,” Richcreek said. “We are also able to provide a toy or gift to each child through age 17, which for some may be the only Christmas gift they receive.”

Applications to receive HALO assistance are taken between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 at various sites across the county. A consolidated list of applications ensures that assistance is distributed widely without duplication. HALO eligibility is based on income and need. Individuals and families who fall at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for assistance.

There are three ways to help HALO:

n Adopt-a-Family: Adoption opportunities are provided for organizations and individuals willing to provide direct assistance to individuals or families. Six hundred fifteen families were adopted across the county in 2007;

n Donations: Send cash donations, which are tax-deductible, to HALO of Ashtabula County, 4200 Park Ave., Third Floor, Ashtabula, OH 44004; or

n Volunteer: Volunteers come from all over the county with participation by students from every school district, including Ashtabula County Youth Leadership members. Volunteers can serve through a church, school, family or service organization.

A mass distribution takes place at several sites across the county the week prior to Christmas. Outreach to special populations, like the homebound elderly and severely mentally disabled, ensures that the most vulnerable citizens are included.

One of the biggest events of the season is the HALO dinner dance, sponsored by former FirstEnergy employees and retirees. This dinner usually is held at the beginning of December and includes live music and raffles.

Overall, the HALO program has been able to serve approximately 2,000 households from year to year.

“We feel that no family should be without the most basic necessities at any time during the year, but we know that the holiday season can be especially difficult for some. And with that in mind, the HALO Advisory Board is committed to ensuring that no individual, family or child will be left out,” Richcreek said.