(This is the 19th annual Empty Stocking story, in which the Tribune highlights local families in need. We invite the community to make donations to the agencies that are helping these families to make sure none of them have empty stockings on Christmas morning. Please do not send your donations to the Tribune. All money and donated items should be given to the cooperating agencies.)

Charles Hall Youth Services provides residential care for at-risk youth with the goal of helping young people grow into mature, responsible adults.

New York craftswoman Beryl Scott has been knitting one-of-a-kind mittens for the teens at Charles Hall for many years. The agency invites businesses, churches and individuals to "adopt" a pair of mittens and fill them with stocking stuffers for the children. Filled mittens should be returned to Charles Hall by Dec. 17 for Christmas delivery. Again, those wishing to adopt a pair of mittens should contact Rhonda at 255-2773.

Churches, families or businesses also are invited to "adopt" a child's Christmas list. They may call to request a teen's first name, age and list of five Christmas wishes.

The agency's Independent Life Skills Program has set up a "Furniture Barn" which supplies youth who are moving out of the system with the beginning items that everyone needs when they move into an apartment. Donations of good used furniture, kitchenware and housewares are welcome. To donate, call 255-2773 to make arrangements.

Staff also welcome age-appropriate books that can be used to set up small libraries at each of the three Charles Hall youth homes. Books should be suitable for ages 10-18. Books can be picked up if necessary. For information, call 255-2773 and ask for Rhonda.

General gifts welcome at Christmas for teens include:

For boys: Gift certificates (to the mall, for haircuts, fast food restaurants, local theaters, etc.) movies (PG-13 or under), alarm clocks, video games, card games, board games, art supplies, books, hats and gloves, disposable cameras, tube socks, sweatshirts, watches, footballs, basketballs, Frisbees, gym or duffle bags, small radios or CD players, sports teams baseball caps.

For girls: Gift certificates (as for boys, above), makeup, nail polish, hair accessories, books, journals, white crew socks, robes, picture frames, photo albums, snack foods, pajamas, hair brushes, hair dryers, small purses, watches, snack foods, slippers, Wizards tickets.

For the three Charles Hall homes: Matching comforters for twin beds (four beds per room), twin size flannel sheets, wall art, cookie jars, bathroom accessories, dressers, cake pans with covers, serving bowls, soup mugs (12 per home), heavy-duty pots and pans with lids, dish towels, dish cloths, potholders, bath towels and washcloths, vacuum cleaners, lawn chairs, bikes, juice pitchers.

Donations can be sent to:

Empty Stocking: Charles Hall Youth Services, Bismarck

513 E. Bismarck Expressway

Bismarck, N.D.

Ruth Meiers Hospitality House

Last year, the need at Ruth Meiers Hospitality House was for children's items. Toys, clothes … you name it, the need was for kids.

The response was so overwhelming that Ruth Meiers has quite a bit left over, so they don't need a lot for Christmas gifts this year for children.

Needs for the adult population, though, are great. There's a need for both men and women.

One of those men is John Thomas, a man from Washington who has spent most of his life in foster care and homeless shelters. He made his way to North Dakota to try and make a relationship work. But it didn't. His health didn't cooperate either.

Thomas got so sick that he ended up in the hospital. And since he has no other family, he ended up at Ruth Meiers, where he participates in nearly every program offered. He's now living on his own, having an established address for the first time in a long time.

But since he's on disability, he could use a few things, such as cleaning supplies for his apartment and some winter clothes.

Needs for other men include winter hats and gloves, extra large and double extra large coats, flannel shirts, jeans, belts, aftershave, cologne and socks.

For women, the need includes perfume, socks, underwear, makeup gift sets, bath sets, shirts and jeans.

General adult gift needs include gift certificates to discount stores, such as Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart; gift certificates to grocery stores; gift certificates to gas stations; bathroom towel sets; floor rugs; silverware and kitchenware items; VHS movies; and portable CD players.

Ruth Meiers officials note that all items donated must be new and unused. If you choose to wrap your gifts, put a tag on it listing the item inside.

You can deliver donations to Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, 1800 E. Broadway Ave., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They would like all donations delivered by Dec. 18.

If you have any questions, contact Lori or Penny at Ruth Meiers by calling 222-2108.

- Mark Hanson

BECEP

A mother of two children, aged 2 and 4, was left to be the breadwinner for her family after her husband was incarcerated for an alcohol-related problem.

That task became harder when she was recently diagnosed with fibromaylasia. She had to quit her job because of the physical pain caused by the disease, and is now hoping to go back to school and find a job she is able to do so she can support her family.

The mother just moved her family into a mobile home and is in need of a kitchen table and chairs, along with a toddler bed. She also would like to get a membership to the YMCA because her doctor recommended swimming to help her medical condition.

The family is one of many at BECEP who have needs. Other needs include: monetary donations for families in emergency situations, such as gas coupons and grocery store gift certificates; children's new or good used coats and snow pants sizes 3, 4, 5 and 6; winter boots sizes 9, 10, 11 and 12; mittens and caps; diapers sizes 4, 5 and 6; laundry soap; bath soap; shampoo; cleaning supplies; toilet paper and children's toys for ages 3 to 5.

For more information contact Mary MacArthur at 221-3450 or Pam Haak at 221-3490 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

- Sheena Dooley

Aid Inc.

It took one unexpected bill, a $318 bill, for the family of an over-the-road truck driver to get behind on paying bills recently.

"They live paycheck to paycheck," said Roxie Polzin of Aid Inc., an organization that tries to help the working poor.

So to help tide them over, Polzin gave the wife money to fill her gas tank and $73.61 to pay her utility bill.

The mother of four needed more help than that, she still had other bills to pay, but that's all Aid could do. Donations are down, funds are limited, and so Aid has to limit its help to about $100 of help per request. Also, the same family can be helped only once every six months.

Polzin said for this holiday season, Aid could, of course, always use money donations.

But to make sure the season is merry for the kids, the agency always could use toys.

"Toys are always in need and clothes. Maybe toys more than anything. We get a lot of kids," she said.

Donations can be delivered to 404 Airport Road or people can donate by getting a name from one of the various Christmas trees set up at local banks and other businesses, buy an item and return it to the business.

Polzin said Aid also urgently needs meat donations and diapers and baby formula.

And they need volunteers.

"Our volunteers are getting older and we don't have new ones coming in," she said. "We've got dedicated people who have been here for 20 years and we don't have anyone replacing them."

For more information, call Polzin at 223-9150.

- Virginia Grantier

At Pam's House

At the Abused Adult Resource Center, it's really about the kids.

When Director Diane Zainhofsky visits Pam's House, a shelter for abused women and their children, she gets hugs from as many of the women as the children. She wants to make Christmas a good one for the six families living here.

The women and children who make Pam's House their home escaped lives of abuse that knocked out teeth and blackened eyes. Zainhofsky said the holidays usually bring the arrival of one or two more families.

"People make the decision to get help right after one of the holidays," she said.

Because families often arrive with nothing but the clothes on their back, it's up to the staff of the AARC and Pam's House to provide them with what they need. And they're asking the community for help.

Diapers, Pull-ups and baby wipes are always a hot commodity at the shelter. Toys and clothes for the kids, dressers for the families, new underwear for the women, pajamas, housecoats and slippers for relaxing are on Zainhofsky's wish list. Mattresses and pillows to make a night's sleep a little better, and gift certificates, tickets to movies and sporting events to make the days enjoyable.

Zainhofsky said in addition to Pam's House, items donated through Christmas will help people using the rest of AARC's services. She said when the season is over, hundreds of families will be helped, and their holiday made a little brighter.

Take donations to the AARC's main office at 214 W. Broadway in Bismarck.

- Angie Buckley

Community Action

Community Action is a nonprofit agency that provides assistance to low income people in many areas, from housing and repairs to clothing and classes.

Toni Hoffman, licensed social worker and self-reliance case manager, listed Community Action's needs for its clients during this holiday season.

Those needs include all sizes of baby clothes, baby boy clothes sizes 12 months and up, and other baby items.

Their clients also need housewares such as dishes, pots and pans, other kitchen items, cordless phones and tools, as well as these specific household items: Two sets of king-size sheets, two king-size blankets, other blankets large bath towels and washcloths.

Clothing items needed are: Size 2T-3T boys, both men's and women's shirts in size 3X, men's shirts size 1X, and girls' size 16 shirts. Winter gloves and hats for all ages also are needed.

Children's Christmas items needed include Legos, Bratz dolls, Barbies, a lava lamp, and games for all ages.

Community Action is at 2105 Lee Ave. in Bismarck. For information, call 258-2240.

- Karen Herzog