12 families remain in need for holiday

The list is complete for this year's SOS Christmas program. With additional families added to the list since Friday, the program is at its capacity. The community's response has been tremendous, but several families are still in need of adoption.

Any individuals or groups interested in adopting a family on the list is asked to call the paper at 573-624-4545 or stop by the newspaper offices at 133 S. Walnut St. in downtown Dexter.

Once a family is adopted and the information is turned over to the party adopting, it is up to that individual or group to contact the family being adopted. Because of the volume of families being adopted, The Daily Statesman does not contact the adopted family, and we do not deliver the gifts. That becomes the responsibility of the group or individuals adopting.

Over the years, many individuals have graciously contributed to the SOS campaign by making cash donations to the paper. Those donations, all of which are sincerely appreciated, are placed toward the greatest needs of those families listed, and also toward the purchase of food vouchers at local grocery stores.

Families 1-22 have all been adopted.

Family 23

A single stay-at-home mother with a daughter diagnosed with epilepsy is battling leukemia herself and has reached out through the SOS program this Christmas season. The family has five daughters and all she is asking for is that the children be able have a good Christmas.

Family 24

A single mother who had to leave her job following medical problems with her children is asking for help with the holiday season. She has two daughters, 14 and 16, as well as one son, 18, who are all in need of clothes. The son has requested an MP3 player. The daughters have asked for a Monster High vampire doll and skinny jeans. Until now, she has provided Christmas for her family, but she said it has been a rough year and the family is living together with her sister to share expenses.

Families 25 through 27 - ADOPTED

Family 28

A couple left unemployed after a lay-off and medical problems is needing a hand with Christmas this season. They have three daughters, ages 10, five and four months. The children are asking for a Straight Talk phone, a Leap Frog iPad-style tablet for children and either a crib mobile or light-up toys. The family has no money for Christmas and welcomes any help.

Families 29 and 30 - ADOPTED

Family 31

A disabled mother from Puxico is reaching out to the Statesman Operation Santa program this year. She has two children, a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. The family has asked for clothes and many basic household items.

Family 32

A single mother of two is disabled and asks for help this season. She has two daughters, ages 12 and 19. The 12-year-old is asking for any games for the Xbox Kinect as well as shoes and jewelry. They are also requesting household products.

Family 33 - ADOPTED

Family 34

A single, working mother is needing help this Christmas season. She is the mother of two sons, 16 and 19, and one daughter, 13. Aside from needing clothes, they are looking for a home because they are currently staying with friends and family.

Family 35

A single mother-of-two is reaching out to the community to assist her with Christmas shopping this year. Her two son, ages two and six months, are asking for Disney movies, outside toys, activity desk, books, teether toys, a walker swing or rattles. She has also requested pots and pans, a television and stand, a DVD player and a coffee maker.

Family 36

A Dexter mother with two children, two and four, asks for help supplying toys for her children this Christmas. The children are asking for Barney movies and car movies and dolls. They are also in need of clothing items and cleaning supplies.

Family 37

A 41-year-old man receives SSI and is in need of pants size 30-30 and medium shirts. Shoes size 8 1/2 are also a need, along with socks and cleaning supplies.

Family 38

A young couple is in need following the husband's need to resign from a position due to kidney disease. They have a five-year-old daughter who needs pants, shirts, shoes, a coat and toys.

Family 39

This family has three children, boys ages 13 and 16, and a girl who is 10. Father is unemployed and mother worked at a local plant until recently. Specific items and clothes are listed as well as household items.

Family 40

A working mother of three says her children, ages 5, 10, and 18, are in need of clothes and toys for the younger two. Also needed are laundry soap, shampoo and conditioner and any cleaning supplies.