Hundreds of people in Letcher County got a hand up over the weekend to help them provide Christmas for their families.

The Community Christmas Outreach in Jenkins and the Ignite Community Outreach in Letcher drew hundreds of people who were allowed to pick from clothes, coats, household items, toys and numerous other items. The goal was to give a hand up to at-risk families and individuals who may be struggling at Christmastime.

The events, which relied solely upon donations, was, according to the organizers and volunteers, a runaway success. The event in Letcher benefitted families identified by the Letcher Elementary School and Letcher Middle School family resource centers. The Letcher Middle School gymnasium housed the event.

At Letcher, more than 100 bicycles were given to area kids thanks to a group of men in Georgia. Those benefiting from the event at Letcher, including a grandmother who has custody of her three grandchildren, were appreciative of the efforts of all of those who put the events together.

In Jenkins, more than 600 people benefitted from the Community Christmas Outreach, which included a Toy Land with piles of donated toys for all ages, and was open to the general public, requiring only registration at the entrance. The event was held at the SmileFaith Community Fun and Fitness Center in downtown Jenkins near the public library.

Hygene items, clothing and coats, all donated, were also available and, as one organizer says, met a need that may have otherwise gone overlooked.

When it was all over, hundreds of people had received the blessings of the Christmas season including the volunteers who helped make it all happen.