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INDEPENDENCE, OH (WOIO) –

The economy is in crisis and with unemployment rate about 9% it could be a bleak Christmas for some families.

Who can forget the joy of Christmas morning, being a child and opening what Santa left you?  It’s hard to imagine what it could be like to explain to your kids that Santa never came.

For Natania Johnson, times have been so tough there were years she couldn’t buy gifts for some of here nine kids ages 17 to a year old.

“Some had a gift, some didn’t,” she said.

This year could be another one of those years, her family is homeless.

“Last year my husband became disabled,” she explains.  “We lost our section eight housing and that resulted in us being homeless.”

Johnson is one of dozens of other families that have already reached out to Adopt-A-Family, an organization that helps Cleveland families in need make sure their kids have something to open for the holidays.

The phone there are ringing earlier than ever before.

“This year it started the first of September. I thought that was very early,” said Madeline Medley of Adopt-A-Family.

A tough economy seems to be to blame.

Close to 100 families were helped by Adopt-A-Family last year.  This year, there will probably be more.

Johnson hopes the organization decides to help her.  She’s worried it will be another year Santa will miss her kids again.

“That’s why I’m seeking help ahead of time.  We’re just holding onto a wing and a prayer.”

If you’d like to help a family this Christmas, click here to find out how you can help make sure Santa doesn’t have to miss anyone this year.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/15659354/the-need

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News