Overwhelmed by calls for help, charity A Lott of Sista Love will assist 30 families — including 56 children — this Christmas.Following a successful back-to school initiative in September, coordinator Barbara Thomas painted a gloomy picture of families struggling due to unemployment and reduced work schedules in the lead up to the festive season.“The stories and situations we hear in the calls for help are really heart breaking,” said Ms Thomas. “But we will do what we can for as many as we can this year, there’s people from all walks of life in desperate need of help facing so many challenges.“Some have never experienced being out of work before, people who have worked hard all their lives. We’re aiming to do as much as possible to help these families to at least try to have a good Christmas.”Unlike previous years, the charity has also been called on to help five families in desperate need at the Gulfstream Emergency Housing unit this year. After assessing the situation, a case worker said there is a “dire need” for help to purchase of food for families housed at the Southside facility.“We have found the need is so much greater this year, much worse than just two years ago,” said Ms Thomas. “People have lost jobs, homes and loved ones and we know there are so many more out there who need help.”The group has launched an appeal for public assistance with the purchase of food, gift vouchers and toys to give each family unit.“We have an increased number of young babies on our list this year, ten babies in need of pampers, formula, blankets and clothing. We also have two grandmothers who need medication, and so we are asking for gift certificates for prescription medicine,” she said.“The children would be very grateful and happy with any age appropriate toy that you surprise them with. Baby essentials from clothing, to blankets, formula and pampers would also be greatly appreciated as well as gift certificates for the older children on our list.”The group also plans to follow-up in the New Year with a series of workshops to empower women in areas like self esteem and budgeting. “We have had a few success stories, in one case a single mother who was unemployed has found a job.“With our help and support she is now going back to school to better herself and improve the quality of life of her children. Her self esteem has improved tremendously and we’ve managed to get her additional support since our school drive in September.”Ms Thomas also issued a warm ‘thank you’ to sponsors who have helped in the past. “They have supported us tremendously and we would like to thank both the individual and corporate sponsors,” she said.For more information on the charity’s efforts or to make a donation e-mail aloslbermuda@yahoo.com or call 504-2290. Funds may also be donated directly to A Lott of Sista Love’s HSBC account.