With Christmas just around the corner, the Allen Community Outreach program is busier than ever. Citizens of the Allen community are coming together to make sure that every family can gather around a warm dinner, and every child has a toy to fulfill their Christmas’ dream.

“We become quite busy when the Christmas season rolls around,” Allen Community Outreach volunteer Debbie Stout said. “Honestly I think people just feel really grateful for what they have at this time of year, so they begin to think of those less fortunate than them. And while more people donate around christmas, they are also more people in need around christmas. So many people come in, and it never fails to warm my heart when I get to see a child’s dream come true right before my eyes, or a family fed on Christmas night.”

The Allen Community Outreach is filled with people donating all kinds of things from toys for the children to christmas meals.

“I just looked at all of the sweaters I had in my closet that didn’t even fit me anymore and couldn’t bare the thought of someone cold on Christmas Eve, so I brought them up here,” Allen resident Mary Laurens said. “I try to bring stuff up here as often as I can, but I do it especially often around Christmas time.”

For senior Brad Jacobs, working at the Allen Community Outreach is more than just a job.

“It’s really hard and stressful working at the Allen Outreach Center during the Christmas season,” Jacobs said. “But it’s also really rewarding knowing that you are helping your community.”