NORWAY — Rightstart has been inundated with last-minute applications for gifts for its Christmas for Kids and Christmas for Teens programs, which distribute presents to children in need in the Oxford Hills area.

Rightstart President Connie Allen said parents requesting presents for their children seem to be having a tougher time this year. “They have to think about fuel and food and family. I’m just hearing more from the people who are applying about how difficult it is.”

Jean Delamater, the nonprofit group’s vice-president, said the requests have become more basic this year, with toys being replaced with boots and blankets.

“Most of the time, parents can do something,” she said. “I’m hearing gratitude because, if we couldn’t help them, their children would have nothing.”

Allen and Delamater have been processing requests while a group of volunteers has been out buying toys, clothes and other requested items.

There are many concerns volunteers must contend with. For homeless families, volunteers look for portable toys that can be moved easily and won’t take up too much space in motel rooms. When buying clothes, they need to know what sizes kids and teens wear.

Allen said that in each package for a child, volunteers try to include a hat, mittens and a book along with the other presents.

Delamater said that while the program accepts gently used items and passes them to people who need them, used items aren’t given as Christmas presents. She said for some recipients, Christmas is the only time of year they get anything new.

Allen said the need is high this year, but that the community always comes through and she expects it will this year, too.

Allen said that last year, a woman left a plastic container filled with toys for her. A note inside said the program had helped her the previous year, and she wanted to give back. “You get teary-eyed when you think about that,” she said.

“Things were better for her,” Allen said. “She wasn’t needing the program; she was helping it.”

Anyone interested in donating money to the Christmas for Kids or Christmas for Teens program can mail it to P.O. Box 726, Norway, ME, 04268.

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