Every year, the number of families needing assistance from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels' Adopt-A-Family program seems to increase.

And every year, the donations necessary to meet those needs --- and the desire to assist from volunteers old and young throughout the archdiocese --- increases as well, according to program coordinator Lydia Gamboa.

"It is amazing," she marvels, in between interviewing low-income, downtown Los Angeles area families who in a few weeks' time will be on the receiving end of gifts provided by the generosity of donors. "I've even been getting calls and emails from people in Chicago, Florida, Louisiana responding to our outreach. It illustrates how serious the need is, and also how much people are willing to help."

Last year, a record 253 families were assisted by Adopt-A-Family in brightening an otherwise difficult Christmastime, with gifts ranging from food and clothing to toys and school supplies. This year, 285 families were registered as of last week as recipients, and close to 300 are expected to be on the list by Dec. 17, when Cardinal Roger Mahony and hundreds of volunteers will head out from the Cathedral to make deliveries.

This year, the Los Angeles Police Department has become involved in referring Gamboa to potential needs families. Many reside in Skid Row hotels and apartments, high-crime areas that are far from safe, especially at night. Many of their homes are single-room domiciles with far fewer than enough beds to accommodate those who live there.

Gamboa stresses that many of the residents are working parents (parking attendants, security guards, restaurant and hotel workers) "who have sacrificed a great deal to help their children have a better life. But they just can't afford to provide any kind of Christmas for their kids."

"And what's also amazing is how some of these kids, who don't have very much at all, say they don't want anything for themselves, just new clothes for their younger brother or a bed for their mom and dad."

Needs have also increased to the devastation of the Gulf Coast hurricanes, which have forced a number of poor families to move here. That realization has also helped increase the number of donors and volunteers, said Gamboa.

"There are 17 Catholic schools which are doing food drives for Adopt-A-Family," says Gamboa. "La Reina High School [in Thousand Oaks] has adopted 30 families which they will assist. It's incredible, but the students really see this as a social justice issue."

Indeed, the commitment of all the volunteers (including members of her own family) "keeps me going," says Gamboa, who is in her 16th year with Adopt-A-Family. "It takes a lot of effort and commitment for them to give up their hours on a weeknight or weekend to assist in picking up food and gifts, to come down to the Cathedral to prepare the deliveries, and to make the deliveries. But we've had quite a few who have been doing this for years, people who see this as a tradition and as an opportunity to stay focused on what this time of year is really all about."

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 over the next few weeks. Various sponsor options are available.

For information on donations or assisting as a volunteer, contact Lydia Gamboa, (213) 637-7501, or visit www.olacathedral.org, and click on the Adopt-A-Family link on the home page.