Those looking to help less fortunate area families this holiday season can do so by donating children's toys to the Santa's Elves Program in Cedarville. Toys are being accepted now through December 15 at First National Bank in Cedarville.

Santa's Elves will also issue food coupons redeemable at Cedarville Foods grocery for holiday meal components, like fresh fruit or meat.

This year, program coordinator Kate Ter Haar expects to provide food for holiday meals to 45 families and toys to about 100 children.

Gift requests, in the form of a tag with a child's age and gender, can be selected from a Christmas tree at the Cedarville bank. Tags are currently available even though the tree is not up, Ms. Ter Haar said. She expects the tree to be put up by Thanksgiving.

Wrapped gifts with the request tag attached, so coordinators can identify recipients, can be dropped off at the bank on Meridian Street.

The suggested gift value is $20 to $25, for items like toys, games, books, and sporting goods. Clothing is not suggested because sizing children is difficult. Program volunteers fill clothing requests when necessary.

Santa's Elves is a year-around program which has provided Christmas meals and gifts for the less fortunate in the community for more than 15 years. The program helps people in need by fulfilling emergency requests for clothing, food, and toiletries, such as for people who have lost items in a fire. Organizations like the St. Vincent DePaul Society, Cedarville High School Student Council, and the Department of Human Services in St. Ignace have assisted the program.

For more information about the program, call coordinators Pat O'Brien at (906) 484-3520 or Mrs. Ter Haar at (906) 484-3610. Cash donations can be made all year to Santa's Elves, in care of Kate Ter Haar, 803 Islington Road, Cedarville, Michigan 49719.