Oakland County, Michigan, Friday, December 21, 2007 -- Ruth Johnson, on behalf of 130 employees in the county's Clerk/Register of Deeds Office, presented a truck full of gifts, toys and grocery cards to Oakland County families with members serving in the military.

"The need is tremendous," Johnson said of Selfridge Air National Guard Adopt-a-Family program. "One grandmother told the coordinator she didn't want anything for herself except for toilet paper and a few toiletries. There was a 6-year-old boy who asked for a pillow."

"These are children of men and women who are proudly serving their country in the military, many of them are overseas for the holidays," Johnson said. "We need to make sure their families are cared for - I am so proud of our employees who poured their hearts into providing these families with a nice holiday, who made sure those children will have gifts on Christmas morning."

The money was provided by the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Casual Day fund. Employees pay $1 on designated days to dress in business casual clothing.

The Clerk/Register of Deeds Office shopped for five families, a total of 28 parents and kids. Employees handpicked the gifts, which included items like sweaters, sheets, an electric skillet, games, tennis shoes, socks, movie tickets and grocery cards.

Debby Schroeder, family support coordinator at Selfridge, said families, already struggling with parents serving overseas, are seeing problems because of Michigan's economy.

"Before families came to us for gas money, now they're coming for food, telling us they've lost their jobs, their cars and they're being evicted," said Schroeder, who said 55 families from southeast Michigan were "adopted" for the holidays. "I heard about two more families today."

Adopt-a-Family can be reached at (586) 307-5583 or online at www.miself.ang.af.mil.