By Rita Howell

The list of needy local children on Secret Santa’s list has grown so much that the organization has had to limit recipients to children ages 12 and under.

“We had ages 18 and under to start with, but we had 1,800 names on the list,” Diane Davis, volunteer adoption coordinator, said Monday. “There was no way we could take care of all those, so we limited it to 12 and under.”

Still, about 1,000 eligible children have not been adopted, she said.

The Secret Santa organization has been meeting for several months to continue its 2008 project which benefited about 600 local children, providing toys and gifts last Christmas.

This year’s economic downturn has resulted in many more applications for help from Secret Santa.

Applications were available at all public libraries in the county. The deadline for applying for assistance was December 1. Since then, the applications have been screened to verify need.

Individuals and groups can help with the project in several ways.

Diane Davis can be contacted at 604-0496 by anyone who wants to adopt a family to supply Christmas gifts for the children. Davis can match the donor with recipients who meet their age and gender preference.

Anyone may drop off new, unwrapped toys and gifts at collection boxes located in Batesville at First Security Bank, BancorpSouth, Renasant Bank and Batesville First United Methodist Church. Sardis drop-off locations are First Security Bank and Renasant Bank. In Como and Crenshaw, contributions can be left at First Security Bank.

Monetary support for the project can be mailed to Panola County Secret Santa, P.O. Box 428, Sardis, MS  38666. Contributions can also be delivered to Batesville Presbyterian Church.

The deadline for adopting a family is December 12.