If there was any question in Mary Zilla's mind about the value of her mission, a child answered it.

Zilla and her co-workers sponsored a Club for Boys family for Christmas last year. They shopped for gifts, clothes, food and Christmas decorations, then delivered them to the family's home.

The club member's little brother asked if Zilla's co-worker was Santa Claus. But he wasn't focused on toys.

"The second thing he wanted to know was, 'Do you have any presents for my mom?'" Zilla recalled. "How does that not make it worth it?"

For families surviving on less than $1,000 a month, Christmas presents and Santa Claus are almost out of the question for children, let alone parents. At last count, the Club for Boys had 165 members whose families are in that category.

Cindy Lloyd, the club's director of individual services, said another 112 boys' families live on less than $2,000 per month.

Lloyd has been matching families in need with generous donors for several years. Parents frequently tell her what a blessing it is to have help at Christmas.

"It's really cool to be the answer to someone's prayers," Lloyd said with a smile.

Last year, local donors provided Christmas for 85 families. Homeless families are given priority. Unfortunately, there are plenty of them - 81 club members at last count. Lloyd knows of one member who has lived in motel rooms his whole life, never in a house. Santa isn't likely to visit his "home," regardless of whether he's been naughty or nice.

For kids like him, folks like Zilla can make the holidays more joyful. And for folks like Zilla, bringing Christmas cheer to others brings joy to their own holidays.

"It's so much fun," said Zilla, who along with her coworkers at a local medical clinic sponsored two families last year. "It's just exciting to us because we get to do the whole thing, from the meal to the Christmas tree to the ornaments."

They'll deliver the goodies in person again this year.

"Many of us are looking forward to that, because that's the fun part, watching the children, because they're excited," Zilla said. "This family we're looking forward to because mom just asked for so little. … They will get much more than that."

With the current economic crisis, the needs are great this year. And although the crisis also has affected donors, it hasn't stopped them.

Sara Gentry, executive director of the Club for Boys Foundation, has heard from several people who still want to sponsor a family, albeit a smaller family than they sponsored last year.

"It's remarkable to see that they're still doing that," Gentry said.

Club staff provides a "wish list" for each family, including clothing sizes. Sponsors can specify what size family they can help. They can also deliver the gifts if the recipients are agreeable, Gentry said.

Sponsors can also donate $275 and have club staff do the shopping. They would like to deliver donations by Dec. 19 if possible.

Cash donations will go further if given by Dec. 7. That allows time to order food through the SHARE South Dakota program. SHARE can provide Christmas dinner for a family of four for $27, Gentry said.

To sponsor a family or for more information, call Gentry at 343-3500.

Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com