Volunteers help struggling families make cherished holiday memories.

Erik Chalhoub here, long over the days when I would wake up just past 5am on Christmas morning to see what Santa Claus brought.

The excitement that I have for the holidays has also long passed, but I still remember it vividly from my childhood, as well as the infamous Christmas morning of 1997 when my brother and I accidentally unwrapped a Nintendo 64 game first before the actual video game console itself, which was sitting wrapped right next to it (talk about a roller coaster of emotions for an 8-year-old).

It’s silly memories such as this that I later realized not everyone will get to have. While I was worrying about how a Nintendo 64 game cartridge would fit into a Sega Genesis, other families were trying to figure out just how to afford breakfast on the table, nevermind gifts.

According to U.S. Census data, about 14 percent of the population in Monterey County lives in poverty as of 2023, while that percentage is about the same for the number of children living in these conditions.

To help make the holidays a little merrier for these families, there are countless people and organizations that are putting in the work.

Organizations such as All-In Monterey County, Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County and Partnership for Children offer “adopt a family” programs, where volunteers are given wishlists from families the groups serve and go shopping to help fulfill those lists.

I caught up with Liesbeth Visscher of Marina who is one of the gift coordinators through All-In Monterey County’s Holiday Cheer program. This year, Visscher “adopted” a family of six who she met to learn about their situation. Families served by the program submit wishlists with three items they need, as well as three items they like.

Visscher says this is her second year of being one of the gift coordinators.

“You cannot help everybody, but all of us can try to help a few people,” she says.

The families were recently invited to a holiday party where they were presented with the gifts, as well as the opportunity to snap a photo with Santa Claus.

“Everybody is so happy,” Visscher says. “Everybody is so grateful. It’s a very positive experience.”

Efforts to help out struggling families don’t stop after the holidays. All-In Monterey County, for example, is among the numerous organizations that are constantly raising funds and seeking donations of basic necessities that they can pass along to those in need.

Many of these nonprofits that serve families are participating in Monterey County Gives! Consider donating this year—MC Gives! deadlines on Dec. 31, but these nonprofits welcome your generosity any time of the year.