This year, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels' Adopt-A-Family program hopes to assist 250 families with food, clothing and other essentials to be presented in gift baskets on Dec. 18.

Canned and/or boxed foods, new clothing, school supplies, blankets, furniture and toys are among the items most desired. Cash contributions are also welcome to assist families, some of whose stories will be described in The Tidings this week and next. For information, contact Lydia Gamboa, (213) 637-7501.

Update on Family #22: Last year we were informed about this family's 4-year-old daughter (Maria) who has been undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. This year we interviewed the family again through an aunt of Maria's, who informed us that her condition is the same and at times seems worse. The day of the interview Maria's family was at the hospital; Maria had developed a fever and was sick through the night. They ask for continued prayers for her recovery.

---#88: Julie is a single parent, having just moved into the downtown area three months ago with her three children. Julie kept apologizing to us for not having any chairs or place for us to sit while conducting the interview. This family of four lives in a one-room apartment with the luxury of their own bathroom and kitchen. Since they have no beds, they all sleep on the floor on blankets. They had no television or couch/chairs to sit on. Julie asked for warm winter clothing for her children and a table and chairs for the children to do their homework on.

---#104: Deborah, Kevin and their two daughters live in small one-room apartment with a community kitchen and bathroom shared with three other families. Kevin is disabled and Deborah works part-time in the garment district. When we arrived at their apartment it was so cold --- their apartment has no heating system. A small electrical heater would help their family enormously. Deborah asked for no gifts for herself or husband, she just wants her daughters taken care of with warm clothes for the holiday.

---#45: Ana is a single mom with three boys (ages 3, 8 and 11). The family lives in a one-room apartment with a shared kitchen and bathroom with 12 other families. The family shares a full-size bed and would like an air mattress for the two older boys. When we asked the boys what they would like for Christmas, they asked if we could bring a special present for their mom.

---#27: The Cortez family rents two rooms in their apartment building to provide for their six children. They both work in the garment district and are very grateful to the Adopt-A-Family program to provide Christmas for their children. Their oldest son is in a wheelchair and is in need of a new chair. They asked if we could help them with a more portable wheelchair; the one he has limits his mobility because it is too large to get through the doorways.

---#44: When you walk into this one-room apartment with only a twin bed, you stop and wonder where this family of five sleeps. Unfortunately, the parents sleep on the floor and give the bed to their three small children. The father works in the garment district and told us they have cut his hours to only three days a week. He worries how he will keep a roof over their heads, and was so grateful to hear that we would be bringing groceries to them during the Christmas season.