They were tall, short, young and old.

On Thursday and Friday, it was clear that hardship had no boundary as about 400 Freeborn County families from all walks of life filed into the Albert Lea Salvation Army seeking Christmas assistance.

Some were elderly, living by themselves off of just a Social Security check; some were young with small children; yet others were middle-aged.

Some had just been laid off; others could not work because of other circumstances.

Local Salvation Army Capt. Lee Brickson said while some of the people had come in for assistance before, she was disturbed by how many families were there to ask for help for the first time.

The assistance includes a food basket for all ages and toys for children up through age 16.

“We were inundated with people who have never had to do this before,” Brickson said. “They were the ones who were donators who were coming to us for the first time.”

She also noted many large families of multiple generations were asking for help.

To fill the need, Brickson said, she is asking people who are able to help to remember the less fortunate this Christmas by participating in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.

She said the need for assistance is higher this year. Gifts for babies and teenagers are particularly needed.

Brickson suggested if people are struggling with what to get someone for Christmas, they could instead buy a gift for a child in that person’s name and donate it to the Salvation Army.

Or, if there’s a sale on a toy, people could buy an extra and donate the second.

Angel Tree tags can be picked up in the center court of Northbridge Mall and at Walmart.

Brickson said people don’t necessarily need to pull an Angel Tree tag to donate a gift. Anything that would be appropriate for a child is needed.

She asked that the toys be new and unwrapped when donated. If people wish, they can send along wrapping paper with their gifts.

Gifts can be dropped off at the Salvation Army office, 302 Court St., or at almost every other Toys for Tots locations in town, including Hy-Vee, Shopko and Walmart, to name a few.

People have until Dec. 16 to turn in their donations.

There is also a senior tree set up in Home Federal, where people can buy items for seniors to be handed out at the Christmas distribution.

If people want to adopt an entire family, they can contact 373-5710 to make arrangements.

The Christmas distribution for families in need will be Dec. 20 and 21.

“We appreciate the generosity of our community,” Brickson said. “There’s so many people who are hurting this year. They could use a boost.”

People can also purchase gifts to donate through an online Angel Tree program sponsored by JCPenny and UPS. People can go to jcp.com/angel to request an angel by zip code, city/state, age range and gender. An angel who matches the criteria will be e-mailed to the person along with a list of requested items.

Gifts purchased through jcp.com can be shipped for free to a Salvation Army collection center.

Brickson said the online Angel Tree is a low-cost and convenient way to make a large impact on local children and seniors in need. The online program ends Dec. 10.

The sign-up for Christmas assistance comes in the middle of the Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign.

Capt. Jim Brickson said about $33,000 had been raised thus far out of the overall goal of $186,000. This is behind where the organization was at this time last year.

If people cannot contribute financially or through a gift, the Bricksons are asking the community to consider volunteering to ring a bell to raise money that way.

People can register online at www.thesalarmy.org/albertlea or by calling 373-5710.

Bell-ringing locations are at Walmart, Shopko, Hy-Vee, Nelson’s, Northbridge Mall and Trails Travel Center.

If people find a kettle unmanned, they are welcome to beginning ringing there.

The kettle campaign goes through Dec. 24.

All money raised stays local to support Freeborn County residents in need.