Special Kids Therapy & Nursing Center is seeking sponsors for its Cornelius Christmas program to provide Christmas gifts for families in need.

Families caring for children with special needs often face financial burdens and have difficulty affording gifts for the Christmas tree. At Special Kids, the Cornelius Christmas program allows individuals and groups from the community to give back to families who need financial support the most.

"Special Kids has grown and so has the need to serve more families," said Sheri Weber, Special Kids director of family resources. "Special Kids served 75 families through Christmas last year, and so far, we have 89 families registered who are in need of help this year."

The Special Kids Family Resources Department is responsible for identifying the families in need and matching them with a community sponsor while keeping everything confidential. Sponsors range from individuals, families, employee groups, and Sunday school classes who come together to provide for an individual family.

"The joy on the families' faces is unexplainable," said Weber. "Some stand there and cry. They are so humbled, and for one moment, they don't have to worry."

"Including us in the Cornelius Christmas program has provided what my husband and I could not," said one anonymous recipient. "Special Kids is a tangible expression of God's love for my family."

Special Kids is looking for 40 more sponsors to adopt families of all sizes and have gifts ready to drop off on December 14 and 15. Those interested in sponsoring can sign up online at specialkidstn.com/cornelius-form or by calling 615.893.4892. Sponsors are encouraged to register by November 16.

Special Kids is a Christian therapy and nursing center for children with special needs. The Murfreesboro-based ministry started with one child in 1998 and has grown to serve over 2,900 children from 18 counties in middle Tennessee. For more information on Special Kids, please visit specialkidstn.com or call 615.893.4892.