CINCINNATI — Making the holidays happen is a difficult task for many families, especially during the pandemic. But as one mom of five found out, the Christmas magic is still circulating.

What You Need To Know

  • About 150 families donated this year to help other families in need

  • The donations are gifts that go straight to families getting help through Cincinnati's Bethany House

  • Organizers with the Bethany House say they are still taking donations that will help pay for a new shelter

Barb Palmer is filling up her car with enough gifts for her five kids, She said it’s been a struggle just to get to this point.

“It’s hard now a days, and with me being at home with my autistic son, it’s hard to even teach him and do anything right about now,” said Palmer.

She and her family have been getting help at a shelter, the Bethany House in Cincinnati.

And now, she’ll have one less thing to worry about.

“It means a lot, even though I’ve been with Bethany House for a long time now,” said Palmer.

Those gifts she’s loading up didn’t cost her anything. They were donated by people like the Jacksons.

"All of our family has sponsored one family here,” said Sponsor Rick Jackson.

They were dropping off gift cards to help another family, complete strangers to them, but they know it’ll help.

“Our family couldn’t gather for our normal Christmas so we decided to help Bethany House,” said Susan Jackson.

It’s all a part of the "Adopt-a-Family" program through the shelter, where one family can adopt, or sponsor another to help bring Christmas to kids who might not otherwise have one.

Organizers at Bethany House say more than 150 have chipped in to help sponsor a family in need, families like Barb Palmer’s.

“I think they’re gonna be excited when they see it,” said Palmer.

She can now bring Christmas home to her five kids.

If you need help this Christmas you can contact the Bethany House. If you’d like to help out, they’re still taking donations that will help fund a new shelter they’re trying to build for families.