Residents Lend a Hand

The holiday season always brings colder weather and thoughts of families warming themselves with laughter and cheer. But it also brings the need to help those outside the family circle with a selfless act of charity.

Alyssa Gillis, of Fenton, looks forward to this time of year.

"All year round, I can't wait for Christmas to get here," Gillis said. "Not only does it bring my family together, but it seems to bring everyone together."

Gillis is one of many young adults and teens from Fenton who spend their free time during the month of December helping others. For the past three years, Gillis has volunteered at the North End Soup Kitchen in Flint, helping set-up holiday decorations and serve food to those in need.

"I'm only there for a couple days, but I hope those days help even a little bit," she said.

The North End Soup Kitchen is a part of Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties.

Gillis credits her parents for getting her involved in volunteering.

"My parents are really involved at church, and charity is very important to them. I wanted to help out however I could," she said.

This season, the need seems to be greater than before.

Genesee County Business Manager for the Salvation Army Bill Goodwill has seen a rise in the number of families needing assistance.

"Many people who had volunteered or given donations before are now holding out their hand in need," Goodwill said. "The economy has changed a lot of things."

According to Goodwill, the Salvation Army of Genesee County hopes to help approximately 1,400 families through the holidays.

Some local residents aren't just using their checkbook or old clothing to help though.

Jill Jones, of Grand Blanc, donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love this holiday season. Her 6-year-old daughter, who attends , plans to do the same once her hair is long enough.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States.

"If everyone can do one thing, or touch one person in one way, Christmas would be a lot brighter for a lot of people," Jones said.