Editor’s note: This holiday season, the Missoulian will again publish a daily “We Care” column, telling the stories of people in need and how others can help them. If your agency has clients with needs this holiday season, call 523-5240 to be included. To read all of this season’s “We Care” columns, go online to Missoulian.com.

Since 1971, the Child Development Center has helped families who have a child with a developmental disability or are considered at risk for delays in development by providing family-focused care at no out-of-pocket cost.

Many of these families are in need of special items this Christmas season. If you can help with any of the items listed below, call Jessica at 549-6413.

• A family of five (two children with developmental delays) is in need of clothes and basics for Christmas. The 2-year-old boy needs shoes and winter boots size 8, pants size T2, and tops size T2. The 6-year-old and 5-year-old girls could use size 5 pants and tops. All three children need hats, gloves and scarves for winter.

• The Children’s Autism Program is in need of mini-trampolines, new or used, to help autistic children work on sensory and other skills.

• A single mom with a medically fragile 2-year-old and 4-year-old sibling is in desperate need of basic necessities and help with the holidays. The family lives out of the city limits and has difficulty getting to medical appointments, as the mother does not have a car. The following is a list of items the family needs: a dryer, a car, clothes for the 4-year-old (all clothes size 4T), winter boots for both children (size 6/7 and 3/4), shirts for mom size 3X, pots and pans, bunk beds, bedding, Beneful dog food (for an older dog), cat food, rent money and toys for Christmas (Leap Frog first laptop games, a doll that goes potty, shape sorters, activity pop-up boxes, ball games and board games).

• A Missoula family is in need of clothes and toys for Christmas. The daughter is 5 and has a diagnosis of autism. She wears a size 8 in dresses, and wears a size 7-8 in pants and shirts. Pants with an adjustable waistband work best for her. She also needs gloves. She likes stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, markers and learning toys, such as V-Tech. Her brother is 2 and wears a size 4T for shirts, 2T for pants, and needs snow boots (size 6). He likes soft blankets and stuffed animals. He also loves trucks and coloring.

• A single mom is in need of an adaptive bike for her 7-year-old son diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and autism. The bike needs to have three wheels and be large enough to fit someone 4 feet tall.

• A western Montana family is experiencing financial hardships due to unemployment and extensive medical needs of their 12-month-old daughter. Their daughter was recently flown to Seattle with kidney failure. Since arriving in Seattle, she has experienced further medical setbacks and has undergone extensive medical treatments. Her parents are unsure when she will be well enough to be released from the hospital and be able to return home. The family has exhausted their savings account due to not being able to work while caring for their daughter and being out of state. Any financial contributions would be greatly appreciated.

• A family has an infant with a lot of medical needs and is currently traveling back and forth to Missoula – 60 miles. Gas cards would be very appreciated. Also, any toys for a 6-year-old boy, 2-year-old girl and a 10-month-old little girl would also be greatly appreciated.

• A Missoula family of five is facing financial hardship due to recurring layoffs and the financial stress of taking care of two special needs children. Mom cannot work due to the youngest son’s bone disease, which requires round-the-clock care and frequent, intensive medical procedures. The oldest son has Asperger’s or high-functioning autism. The family is asking for any kind of financial help with rent, utility bills, and other essentials, as well as some assistance to give the children presents this holiday season. Their oldest son, 14, would like a pair of men’s jeans size 30-by-34, men’s large shirts, and a stereo for his bedroom. Their 10-year-old boy would like clothes, size 11/12 in pants and size 12/14 in shirts, as well as some G.I. Joe cars and action figures. Their 2-year-old boy would like some new clothes since he is finally growing – size 12-18 months. He would also like a new portable DVD player, as his previous one was stolen. He is fascinated by cars and trucks, especially ones with doors that can open. Mom’s Christmas wish is presents for the kids to open.