Through the generosity of the community, the Abused Adult Resource Center’s “Hope for the Holidays” program each year helps families who have been victimized by violence by providing gifts at Christmas.

Monetary donations are needed and welcome, according to Kayce Loraas, child advocate who coordinates the program with Keyona Pratt and Kim Caswell. Other needs include:

• Gift cards for women’s clothing
• Walmart gift cards
• Grocery store gift cards
• Gas gift cards
• Prepaid phone cards (Verizon, Straight Talk, Tracfone)
• GameStop gift cards, movie or bowling passes for older kids
• New toys and games for children ages up to 16

Starting Dec. 5, donations will be taken from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 19 at AARC’s Hope for the Holidays space at the Northbrook Mall, 1929 N. Washington Street. Bring donations to door 3 and Suite HH on the east side of the mall.

“We are grateful to Northbrook Mall and Goldmark Schlossman Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. for providing the space for our program,” said Michelle Erickson, AARC Executive Director. “Having an adequate site is important to successfully providing families with gifts and donations from Hope for the Holidays.”