TIFTON — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and the Tiftarea YMCA is gearing up for one of its most important events of December, Y-Christmas.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, local children in need receive Christmas baskets of necessities and a few wish items. To serve as many children as possible the Tiftarea YMCA needs help.

Sports coordinator Seth Bishoff is heading up Y-Christmas this year.

“It’s going pretty well,” Bishoff said of the preparations for the event.

The drive for Y-Christmas began in November, Bishoff said, adding there are several ways to help the YMCA. Contributors can sponsor a child or children, or make a cash donation to the YMCA for the program.

Baskets are $125 per child for ages 7 and under, and $150 for ages 8-13. Multiple children in the same family can be sponsored.

Each basket will contain necessities for the child, such as clothing and hygiene items. In addition, Bishoff said each child has a wish list of three items.

Though kids can be quite imaginative for what they wish for, Bishoff said several have a wish for necessities. Each child and/or family of children will get their own opportunity to meet with Santa Claus and receive their baskets.

Sponsorship is as easy as the basket costs. “We can shop for the kids,” Bishoff said. Donors can also opt to do the shopping themselves.

A tentative deadline is set for a few days before Y-Christmas, but Bishoff said they will take donations as long they still can. Tiftarea’s YMCA has a goal of helping as many families as possible. About 145 children received baskets at Y-Christmas last year.

Bishoff invited contributors to stop by the Tiftarea YMCA at 1657 Carpenter Road, or call at (229) 391-9622. A form is available to view at www.tiftareaymca.org.