Christmas Morning is here, and it is still dark outside. My eyes are barely open, but I don’t care, because the rush is too much.

I tip-toe over to the Christmas tree, and I kneel before it.

I look up at its big branches. I admire the Christmas ornaments. Each one has a meaningful memory from my past. I think to myself, this really is the best day of the year.

Hours pass, my family is awake now, and each member is smiling and opening up their arms to me with love.

We all gather around the Christmas tree and before my mom hands me my first gift, she says to me, "Remember not every child is as lucky as you."

There are families out there that are not as fortunate as we are.

I say, "Yes mom, and brush the thought away."

I am 21 now and know the surreal thought is real.

Families are hanging on by a thread. I know from personal experience.

Unfortunately, the current economic condition has made it even harder for the less fortunate, and now, we are seeing more families being affected.

The Community Outreach Ministry recently held their annual Angel Tree Christmas party on Dec 13.

As I looked around the room I saw families with smiles on their faces and gifts in their hands.

Local high school students came to enhance the festivities by painting the kids’ faces, and serving all the guests a hot meal. The students, along with the other adult volunteers, embraced the families and made them feel loved, valued and significant.

The guest families were inundated with a Christmas party that lifted their spirits and brought them great joy.

One mom with her three kids had tears in her eyes, and I asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

She said, "We have just been given everything Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] we needed for Christmas!"

The party began with a bang!

Families enjoyed singing Christmas carols and seeing live emergency services demonstrated on the children by Riverside County firefighters, paramedics and deputies from Lake Elsinore.

The fire engine, and sheriff’s vehicle and equipment were put on display for the children to see and touch. All of the youngster were enthralled and given badges for their attention and cooperation.

To the awesome surprise of these youngsters was a special appearance by a red headed puppet named Lucas from Menifee. Lucas came all dressed up in his Santa Claus outfit and brought his partner ventriloquist, Pamela Vasquez. Lucas made the kids laugh; then he sang and told the kids Christmas stories.

Gifts poured in from drop-off sites and sponsors around the community.

For these families this Christmas party was a holiday celebration they will cherish for a lifetime.

Community Outreach Ministry is a non-profit organization whose mission is "giving kids a second chance by breaking the cycle of crimes against at-risk kids."

This is accomplished by our year-round, outreach, mentoring and camping and Christmas programs.

These programs empower juveniles to build personal youth development and to escape the road of illiteracy, school drop-out, criminal behavior, self-destruction and incarceration.

Youngsters are being given purpose, self-identity, confidence, tools, and resources to have: success in school, to do better at home, goals to plan for a career and to raise their expectations for a healthy and prosperous future.

Scholarships are being raised to send kids camping for a week and to engage them in year-round mentoring. Tax deductible receipts are provided for all donations.

We welcome you to visit us at www.communityoutreachministry.org.

On behalf of the children and families, we thank all of the drop-off sites, sponsors, volunteers, and media for helping to give these precious youngsters a wonderful Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!