TOPSHAM

More than a dozen elves, pointy ears and all, were busy in Santa’s make-shift workshop at the American Cancer Society offices Friday, wrapping gifts for families coping with cancer.

The program began five years ago with the idea of then 13-year old volunteer, Britney Morton of South Portland. She lost her father to cancer when she was 11, so the holidays that year lacked presents and cheer. Morton reached out to the American Cancer Society’s Scarborough office two years later to see what she could do to help other families who are not only struggling financially, but also are dealing with cancer.

The program has grown by word of mouth and a Facebook page to a network of more than 400 volunteer “elves” in Maine and beyond who donate presents and help wrap them. This year, the Santa’s Elves program is helping more than 30 families.

Dawn Emery, American Cancer Society program manager, said that number has grown from the four or five families the program reached the first year.

“We have to remember sometimes it’s a gift to others to let them help you,” Emery said. “All of the people who are here today wrapping and helping and donating, all want to add some meaning back into the season.”

Fighting cancer can be expensive and some of the families experience food insecurity. The elves make sure they all have stockings, presents and a meal to eat for Christmas — which is all donated. None of it is purchased with funds donated to the American Cancer Society. Often people send notes with gifts they’ve donated in memory of a loved one lost to cancer.

All of the families helped are from Maine.

“This is what it is about,” Emery said as elves folded wrapping paper and tied bows. “The beauty of it is, these people are never going to meet us, but for them to know and to feel like there are complete strangers out there, it could be anyone they pass on the street, who are holding them in their heart.”

While this project is coming to a close this year, Emery said those battling cancer need help all year long. ACS is always looking for volunteers, including volunteer drivers as part of the Road to Recovery program that provides transportation to and from treatments.

For more information contact the American Cancer Society in Maine through its Facebook page, or call the Cancer Care Hotline at 1-800- 227-2345, which is staffed 24/7 with someone who can help.