Photo courtesy of Pat Lindamood

From left: Pat Fullen, Karaneese Payne, Evelyn Dawson and Karen Finch are members of the Celtic Harp Group, which will be performing at the fundraiser for the Pulaski County Christmas Store on Aug. 23.

| Mary Hardbarger

mary.hardbarger@roanoke.com, 381-1679

PULASKI -- Although Christmas is still months away, area agencies are already gearing up to make the holidays a little less stressful and a lot more affordable for families in need.

On Aug. 23, the Pulaski County Christmas Store will host its first "Sweets and Treats" gala to raise funds for the upcoming Christmas season.

Featured at the event will be local talents including the Celtic Harp group, Sandy Dawson and friends, Marva Hickman and the New River Valley Community Chorus Quartet and, of course, desserts galore.

One of the highlights of the evening will be performances by Lea-ann Dunbar and her husband, Allan Bergius, of Munich, Germany.

Dunbar is a Beaufort, S.C., native, and studied voice and German at St. Olaf College and has participated in numerous opera productions, concerts and CD recordings.

She now works as a freelance artist and performs with opera companies throughout Germany.

Bergius was born and raised in Germany and is currently assistant principal cellist of the Bavarian State Orchestra in Munich and conductor of a youth orchestra.

Pat Lindamood, treasurer of the Pulaski County Christmas Store committee, recognizes a great and growing need in Pulaski and the importance of working year-round to service it.

In 2008, more than 850 children were served by the organization -- and according to her -- that number is on the rise.

"In talking with social services, the need is definitely going to be more this year," Lindamood said. "With layoffs and plant closings in the area, families are going to find it difficult to provide for their children."

Since the store was formed back in 2005, the organization has served more than 3,950 children and raised approximately $80,000.

According to Lindamood, it takes about $15,000 to $20,000 to service families each year.

Each year, the store provides a full outfit, a book and at least one toy for children from birth to 18. To qualify for the program, an application must be filled out, and eligibility is based on food stamps.

Lindamood is hopeful that the gala will raise awareness of the store and its impact on the community.

"People know we're here in December but don't think about us the rest of the time," she said. "I hope that they'll remember we are a yearlong organization."

The Christmas store has no paid employees and operates entirely on fundraisers, grants and donations.

"We operate on what we get," Lindamood said.

Lindamood said that the store has never had to turn anyone away, largely because of local support.

She is optimistic about the gala and hopes to make it an annual event.

"We're going to start out with a little trepidation then go from there," she said. "If we have just one person who enjoys it, it's a success and then we move on."