The Salvation Army is not about to let needy families stay that way for Christmas. Hundreds came by Monday, and more will tomorrow, to pick up their bag of gifts. There are more than 700 needy families in the Johnstown area the Salvation Army is providing for this year. That could have been difficult because the organization was $54,000 short of it's goal just a couple of weeks ago. Now it's only about $7,000 or $8,000 behind.

The families get a gymnasium full of gifts, divided up for each family. There are all sorts of toys and different things the families requested. Workers and volunteers put everything together to give out. One by one, families who asked for help this year picked up their bags Monday. Esther Diamond says this is a blessing for her grandchildren. Their parents are both on disability and don't get much money. If you donated this year, she wants to say, "Thank you. God bless 'em for doing it because they don't realize how much they have blessed people for doing it."

Captain Timothy Hinzman, at the Salvation Army, tells Channel 6 News, "The Salvation Army's money we raise during the holiday season, anything left over goes into the winter months to help with financial assistance."

Now if you're out shopping and you see a kettle ringer, just take a few moments to drop some money in. Theyll continue to be out through the holidays. On an average day, a kettle can collect about $150.