ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — On a rainy Saturday, Dec. 19, the the old First Baptist Church on Racine Street in Robertsdale was a hive of activity. Workers sorted items in the thrift store, while others made sure the toys and food for 39 needy families were ready to go.

Each family was able to collect the makings for Christmas dinner, a package containing new toys for the children and could pick out two additional new or gently used toys from a collection in their church’s gym.

The message was clear, said Lana Hall, the director of the Baptist Christian Service group.

”This is what we want to say,” said Hall, “God cares for them and we will provide a Christmas for their children.”

The recipients of the Christmas gifts are all clients of the Christian Service Center at the church, Hall added.

“The items were donated by area churches and businesses,” said Hall. She added that she was “surprised by the number of requests,” and added that art sets and art supplies were the most popular item asked for.

“Churches and businesses were donating those before I asked,” said Hall.

That’s a relief for “Susan,” a woman from Foley (names have been changed to protect privacy).

“I’m a singe parent on a fixed income, and this is the only Christmas my son will get. She added that her 8-year-old son has medical problems and “I can’t afford his meds.”

Susan is a diabetic along with other medial issues, and there is no money for the insulin she needs. She lost her job recently, and unless “I get pregnant again,“ she will not qualify for Medicaid or other assistance.

“He needs clothes and games,” said Susan. “What we get will be dependent on what is available here.”

For “Sarah,” also from Foley, the Baldwin Baptist program is the only holiday cheer she and her four children will have.

“My son had kidney failure, and there are a lot of bills with that,” Sarah said. “This program has helped tremendously. They have really come to my aid.”

This is a program that has no trouble finding volunteers, says Rick Barnhart, the Director of Missions of the Baldwin Baptist Association.

“We have about 25 volunteers with the toy project,” said Barnhart.

Clients selected for the project have to undergo an interview process and also have to provide documentation of their need, he added.

“We are going to have three or four appointments per hour,” he said.

“During the year, we provide for other needs,” said Barnhart, “but we have discovered a whole other opportunity to meet the needs of these families.”