Christmas Program at Maine Children’s Home is accepting applications from families who want to receive assistance providing gifts for their children for the upcoming holiday season.

Christmas Program at MCH serves families throughout Maine, providing brand new clothes, winter essentials, toys, books, and games to more than 1,500 Maine children whose families are facing financial hardship.

This program that relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers and community supporters also connects families to licensed social workers who can provide resources for mental health and parenting support.

The program is intended for families who have no other way of providing gifts for their children between the ages of 0–12 years. This program serves families living at or below 133% of the federal poverty level.

While gifts from the program do vary, each child typically receives:

• Hat and mittens set

• Pajamas

• An outfit of warm clothing

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• A coloring/activity book with crayons or markers

• Two toys

• A game for the family to share plus a few extra personal touches for each child

Christmas Program does not provide game systems, video games, video game cartridges, electronics, cell phones or big ticket items, and does not give out gift cards.

Families interested in applying can visit mainechildrenshome.org to learn more about eligibility requirements and to fill out an application.