I don't know even how to begin to thank supporters of the United Way, particularly those who provide some special financial assistance for holiday season emergencies.

Every year at this time, we get multiple calls from families in need of food, gifts, shelter, etc. Yes, there are social service agency and church programs out there, most of which have deadlines. There are a few that will deal with last-minute situations, but I have to say that this Christmas week our backs are against the wall, and oftentimes those in need might not have had an issue two months ago, when Christmas program sign-ups were open.

Or, more likely, the people now in need thought that they could find an answer or another alternative and were too embarrassed or ashamed to ask for or "sign up" for help.

Then Christmas week comes and they get desperate.

As a parent, I cannot imagine what it would be like to not be able to provide for my children.

After nine years in my role at United Way, I have become somewhat tough because we hold agencies and people accountable, trying to prevent duplication of service and making sure people don't take advantage of assistance. But I have to say that until a person understands poverty, it is hard to respond to needs and defend them appropriately.

One night last week, I came face to face with people in true need and it rocked me. When I went to the apartment, I was greeted by a 13-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy who were kind to me, invited me in, and asked me to sit and talk with them.

The apartment was mostly bare but very clean. They were sleeping on mattresses; they had no beds. But people who understand poverty know that they move often, and taking a bed can be difficult, so a mattress is fine.

Their mother was out doing laundry when United Way visited.

There was no Christmas tree or any sign of Christmas in the apartment. The refrigerator didn't work; the landlord had not had it repaired.

I asked the kids what they needed. The young girl asked only for a winter coat. The boy asked only for a pair of jeans. These kids have developed survival skills, and the simplicity of their life is perhaps in many ways as much a gift as a challenge.

Another woman we worked with last week is raising not only her kids (ages 13 and 10) but her grandchildren (ages 8 and 2).

We learned that this mom (actually, grandma) cannot read. In fact, a United Way employee had to pick up the kids' Christmas wish list because "Mom" could not read it to us over the telephone.

She will not apply for assistance because she is embarrassed and doesn't want anyone to know. She has eye cancer and is on disability as a result.

Her son, who has challenges of his own, stays with her to care for his children. Her son's wife, the mother of the two younger children, is in jail.

While we were there she cried, and then he cried.

And a day after we provided help to these two families, the woman who called us about both of these families called, crying and thanking us.

After Christmas, we will work with "Mom's" reading issue by trying to get her a tutor through the Butler County Community College literacy program.

Also, a United Way employee received a call from the Super 8 motel regarding a woman who was homeless. She has mental health issues and was going to be put out on the street.

Our employee went to the Super 8 and paid for another night. Another United Way employee spent the next morning working through all the program issues with Center for Community Resources and Catholic Charities.

Sometimes, these cases need advocacy and pushing.

On Christmas Eve day, we did all the necessary shopping and delivered the gifts and the tree for the mom with the four children. We also dropped off the Christmas tree to the woman with two teenagers. The gifts for the teenagers were dropped off Christmas Eve.

Friends of the son of a United Way employee at Butler High School used Facebook to coordinate help and contributions that led to several students going out to buy extra clothes for the teenagers who only had asked for a coat and jeans. The students also bought a store gift certificate.

We also dropped off food and groceries for the family.

I got in touch with the Community Action Agency food cupboard as well as the St. Vincent de Paul Society to deal with any other last-minute issues.

As we were shopping for Christmas gifts for the families in question, another emergency call came in to the United Way.

Some people think they don't need to sign up to ask for help. It might be pride. But, quite often, as Christmas approaches, they panic and call the United Way.

Every year, we get five or six situations like this in the last week.

We very much appreciate the donations to United Way that allow us to help families in need during these holiday emergencies.

People wanting to help the United Way during the holidays can specify that their donation be used for emergency holiday needs.

The United Way can be reached at 724-285-4883. E-mail contact can be made as follows: LOsche@ButlerUnitedWay.org.

Leslie Osche is executive director of United Way of Butler County.