Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children is once again working to bring a little Christmas joy to families in need over the holiday season.

Jackie Boyd, supervisor and educator for the Partnership’s Parents as Teachers program, said the organization is put in contact with low-income families who qualify for donated gifts through the Parents as Teachers program, which provides child development resources and encouragement from pregnancy to age 5.

The families in need reach out to the Partnership’s staff and request gift items, which are then displayed on a tree of angel cutouts from which sponsors can choose.

“We get to know the families fairly well and many of our families are low income,” Boyd said.

She said this is about the fifth year for the angel program, and each year they find sponsors to buy gifts for about 50 families. Anyone can sponsor an angel, whether it’s a church or a grandparent who enjoys giving back.

Boyd said the gifts are limited to about $50 per child and are meant to just be a small help to a struggling family, rather than provide an entire gift list. But she said there hasn’t been a problem with families asking for an expensive gift, as most ask for basic items, such as diapers or clothing.

“They’re very grateful for the little bit of help they get,” she said. “Our families, you know, we try to help them out, but we try also for them to be responsible for themselves.”

The angel program is designed to help the families who really need it and be a tool to encourage self-sufficiency as parents, which includes not overspending on gifts during the holidays, Boyd said.

“Some of our families are not low income, and they do not participate in the angel program,” she said. “We don’t let them go overboard with their wishes.”

Although the Parents as Teachers program only serves families with children up to age 5, the angel program serves every child in the household, no matter the age. Boyd said.

So far, the Partnership is still looking for about 13 more angel sponsors this year.

“We still have kids that have a need,” she said. “Every year we’ve found it easier and easier to find sponsors.”

“The kids that we work with are wonderful children, and we want the best for them, just like their parents want the best for them. … I look forward to it every year,” Boyd said.

To volunteer to be a sponsor, contact Jackie Boyd at 252-975-4647, ext. 6.