Staff members at Adirondack Bank’s branch at 38 Hadjis Way pose beside the Families First Christmas Drive tree on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Generous residents can adopt a child by choosing one of the wish lists, buying presents for the child and returning it back to the bank. This is an annual program of Families First in Essex County. From left are Jameson Batt, Jonathan Swinyer, Jessica Enfinger, Crystal McComber and Cynthia DeMars. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

LAKE PLACID — A Christmas tree stands on the far side of the Adirondack Bank lobby, with wrapped presents underneath. Showcased among the colorful bulbs on the tree are wish lists for boys and girls who need a little extra help this holiday season.

It’s the Families First Christmas Drive.

A tag for Tyson, a 6-year-old boy, details his wish list: “Your Angel Wishes For … 1. Remote control car; 2. Bluey Sing Along Stuffy; 3. Thomas the Train set; 4. Robo Alive Python.”

His favorite colors are blue and red.

Some tags list their favorite toiletries, hygiene or hair products. For 14-year-old Brandon, it’s Axe or Old Spice (any scent).

Staff members at the Fitness Revolution gym on Saranac Avenue pose beside the Families First Christmas Drive tree on Monday, Nov. 28. Generous residents can adopt a child by choosing one of the wish lists, buying presents for the child and returning it back to the gym. This is an annual program of Families First in Essex County. From left are front desk manager Kim Shepard and owner Jason McComber. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

“For the older kids, we try to do a lot of the basic things that they might need, like hygiene items,” said Deb Mitchell, family services manager at Families First in Essex County. “One year, we had a teenaged boy who wanted new socks, new underwear and a new toothbrush. Doesn’t that pull on your heart strings that these kids want and need basics things?”

They also accept donations, such as fuzzy blankets, hygiene kits, warm socks, hats and gloves.

“Folks may take a wish list or say, ‘Here’s 100 dollars,’ or they might say, ‘Here’s some arts and crafts,'” Mitchell said.

Families First in Essex County, based in Elizabethtown, supports families who have children with mental health issues. Programs include family support services, health home care management, home and community-based services, and children and family treatment and support services.

While helping families across the county, Mitchell sees their ever-growing needs on a daily basis. Due to issues such as the opioid epidemic, she sees more and more grandparents raising their grandchildren.

“The parents just aren’t available for their kids, and so these grandparents are on fixed incomes,” Mitchell said. “A lot of these households that we support are low income. A lot of the families qualify for Medicaid benefits.”

Families First is one of many organizations around the nation helping families who need a little extra help during the holidays.

“Over Thanksgiving, we try to provide a meal, and over Christmas, we try to provide nice things for these families,” Mitchell said.

Wish list trees like the one at Adirondack Bank’s 38 Hadjis Way branch can be found across Essex County, from Lake Placid to Ticonderoga and communities in between. The other Families First tree in Lake Placid is located at the Fitness Revolution gym at 1991 Saranac Ave.

One tag on the Fitness Revolution tree details the wish list for Chadd, a 13-year-old boy: 1. goalie gloves (size 8); 2. a soccer ball; or 3. a football.

The deadlines for these wish lists are coming up. Gifts at the Adirondack Bank tree must be returned by Dec. 12, and gifts at the Fitness Revolution tree must be returned by Dec. 15.

Mitchell used to be a fitness instructor at Fitness Revolution, and so the wish list tree has been at the gym for many years.

“It started out kind of small,” she said of the program, “but now because our criteria has opened up, we’re getting more and more families that need help.”

Mitchell said she is thankful for the partnerships the Families First Christmas Drive has with local businesses and organizations.

“They want to give, and so they partner with Families First, like Fitness Revolution is doing to help meet our needs” she said. “There is now way — no way — that we could ever provide what we do without donations from individuals or organizations.”

Families First will help about 100 families with its Christmas Drive this year, according to Mitchell.

And the need never goes away.

“I don’t know if you’ve read the news lately, or heard the news lately, but society is really not as stable as it used to be,” Mitchell said. “And I’m fascinated with the generosity of people, agencies, individuals who volunteer to help out a stranger in need.”

For more information about the Families First Christmas Drive, or to help, call 518-873-9544.

Learn more about Families First in Essex County at familiesfirstessex.org.