PULASKI -- Christmas in July?

Well, at least the Christmas spirit is evident in Pulaski County, where the county Christmas Store is trying to get a head start on its shopping funds for December.

More than 450 letters have been mailed out seeking donations now and asking for volunteers at the Christmas store later in the year.

"And today Hoover Color delivered us a case of crayons," said Sally McCarthy, the store's president.

McCarthy is personally delivering a store flyer to every church in the county.

Churches have helped in a big way, especially with clothing. "They really have come through," McCarthy said.

Other support has come from businesses such as the Motor Mile Speedway, which held a fund-drive day for the store last year, as well as the county chamber, civic clubs and individuals.

Last year, arts and music students at Pulaski County High School put on a benefit program for the store.

But donations generally come later in the year. "We have no clue how much we can get, where it will come from," said Pat Lindamood, the Christmas Store's treasurer.

"We go from long periods of being depressed to being elated at people's generosity," McCarthy said.

Last year, that generosity brought in about $12,000 of contributions in cash or in-kind and provided gifts to about 600 children. In the first year, about 900 children received gifts, but eligibility guidelines were tightened the second time.

"We felt like we were serving some of the same kids and missing others," McCarthy said.

"We are applying the food stamp guidelines for our eligibility," she said. "It just kind of hit everybody that we needed to hit."

The program, now in its third year, seeks to provide Christmas gifts -- largely clothing, maybe some books but also a toy that a child particularly wants -- for kids in less-fortunate financial circumstances than those who routinely find loads of packages under their trees on Christmas morning.

The Christmas Store grew out of what used to be called the Christmas Caravan, run by the Dublin Police Department and Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, which provided bicycles for children who would otherwise not have one. "We sort of evolved," McCarthy said.

The store has scheduled five days to take applications from families who would like to benefit from the program. If a family meets the income guidelines, the store takes a "wish list" from each child in that family.

The gifts are distributed to families two weeks before Christmas. "It truly is a miracle, the way it comes together," said Lee Ann Woods, a board member.

"We have already this year done some really good shopping. I bought like 95 pairs of shoes," said Heather Freeman, the group's corresponding secretary. "They're on sale, I couldn't help myself."

"If the Christmas Store staff had a wish, it would be to have a full-time facility," said McCarthy. "That we didn't have to pay for."

That would allow store volunteers to do their shopping all year around, seeking out bargains and be able to build up a better inventory.

Dublin provided space to the store to gather gifts for distribution during its first Christmas. Last year, the Pulaski County school system allowed the use of two rooms in the former Claremont Elementary School building, although, as Christmas season approached, the inventory spilled out into hallways and elsewhere.

The group's model is the Montgomery County Christmas Store, which has its own building.

"They make things available so parents can actually come into the store and shop," said Lindamood.

The Pulaski County organization is currently trying to make itself better known. "We've been kind of learning to swim, and we're ready to make the dive now," McCarthy said.

"We have big dreams," she said. "Maybe Santa will bring us a building this year."