Many Logan County families are hurting as this holiday season approaches because of lost jobs and serious health issues.

That makes the annual Bro. Joe’s Family Christmas (known for decades as Toys for Tots after its 1954 origin) especially needed this year.

Compounding everyone’s problems are COVID-19 concerns. Logan County is piling up confirmed cases currently. Because of dangers of the disease spreading in large groups, the annual massive fund-raising Country Ham Breakfast cannot be held this year.

That makes today’s Brother Joe’s Family Christmas on WRUS (610 AM, 104.9 FM) especially crucial in soliciting donations to the cause. It will be on the air and online from 2-5 p.m. Friends of the late Bro. Joe Carrico and those who are keeping the benevolent outreach ongoing will talk about the program and their memories of the long-time pastor/doer-of-good-deeds.

Phone lines for listeners to call in donations will be available with volunteers answering the calls.

Those who would like to make donations to the ministry can send checks payable to Brother Joe’s Family Christmas at Agape Service Foundation, P.O. Box 412, Russellville, KY 42276.

You can also call Agape at 270-726-7109 with credit card donations.

The ministry is working with the Family and Youth Resource Centers in the Logan County and Russellville schools to locate families in need and in the distribution of toys and food.