DES MOINES, Iowa — A local nonprofit started 10 years ago in Perry with the goal of giving families in need a joyful Christmas experience.

Kellie Flanery started the idea with her own children using their holiday money to give gifts to families in need in Perry, with her children doing the wrapping and delivering.

Now the group is helping 50 children this holiday season, 42 in 2023. The goal is to increase the amount of children impacted every single year.

“Every year we make it a goal to try to raise a little bit more money so we can help more families. And we would like to be county wide in the next couple of years,” said Kellie Flanery with Giving Christmas.

Giving Christmas helps families in the Panorama School District, ACGC School District, and West Valley School District. Staff in the districts work with the nonprofit to identify families who could benefit the most from the organization.

“There is just such a huge need. We are the ones that help families that are struggling. From the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one in their family. Just situations where it could happen to any of us in a blink of an eye and we need that extra help,” Kim Durst, Giving Christmas.

To donate to impact the holiday season for families you can donate to the nonprofit’s Venmo: @givinginc. Drop off donations is also an option at the Guthrie County State Bank and the Rolling Hills Bank and Trust in Stuart.