Ten-year-old Emma wants a journal for Christmas to jot down her thoughts and sketch her dreams in. Her brother, 15-year-old Jackson, wants basketball shoes.

These are simple things that will allow them to continue their hobbies and help them deal with stress at home, said Bellevue LifeSpring officials. The organization helps Bellevue children and their families through programs that feed, clothe and educate.

But some local families like Jackson’s and Emma’s cannot afford some simple things. The siblings’ family has faced medical bills, an eviction notice and a car breakdown that left them entirely reliant on public transportation.

“Nothing surprises me anymore,” said their mother, Alison, through tears when asked what her biggest challenge has been over the past year.

Even though Alison works full-time, she often finds herself with just $30 left out of her paycheck after paying rent and bills.

Alison, along with 282 other Bellevue families, got some much-needed help for the holidays on Tuesday, thanks to Bellevue LifeSpring’s Holiday Adopt-A-Family program. Adopt-A-Family matches Bellevue families in need with community sponsors who ease the burden of holiday expenses by providing food, clothing and gifts for Christmas and the long winter break.

With the support of over 200 holiday sponsors and more than 100 volunteers, LifeSpring provided gifts and other items to 283 families on Tuesday at First United Methodist Church of Bellevue, serving 670 children and a total of 1,187 people.

For more information, www.bellevuelifespring.org.