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 to Missoulian.com.

Early Head Start helps young parents "get an early head start" by providing a wide variety of early parenting education and child development services in center-based, home-based and prenatal settings. Services are individualized to help parents achieve independence and self-sufficiency. Resources and referrals include social services, medical, dental, physical, nutrition and mental health services, and disability services - all coupled with parent education, leadership, volunteerism, skill-building, goal-setting and career opportunities. All families in Missoula Early Head Start meet 100 percent or less of U.S. Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

If donors can help, please contact Mary-Glynn Cromwell at Early Head Start, 251-9410, Ext. 302.

- A young father must go to Seattle for surgery that has been arranged by local physicians. The family has support for temporary housing while the surgery is completed, but they do not have the financial means to drive over for the surgery in early December. They are in need of gas and food vouchers. They will be traveling with a 2-year-old and 7-month-old.

- A young mother with serious health issues knows she needs to kick the smoking habit. We would like to work with her to seek assistance through the Smoking Cessation Program at St. Patrick Hospital. The cost is $25 for five weeks of classes and a supply of patches.

- Many families do not have adequate financial resources to dress their toddlers for the upcoming winter weather. The Early Head Start Center is in need of 2T, 3T and 4T pants, shirts, snow boots, snow pants and socks for these children to wear both at our site and to take home.

- A single mother of two small girls was recently laid off work and has limited resources for the coming winter weather. She is in need of pants, shirts, and socks sizes 3-4 toddler and 2 toddler.

- A single mother who was recently homeless has housing, but no place to store her clothing or that of her 2-year-old daughter. They need a chest of drawers and some hangers.

- With the flu season, parents of young children are anxious to have hand sanitizers and wipes. If you have any available to donate, it would be greatly appreciated.

- Parents must be accessible when leaving their children in care at the center, yet some do not have the financial resources for a telephone. Donated telephone cards or cell phone minutes for parents to use in emergencies would be greatly appreciated.