If your family's Christmas list is topped with European destinations or a new car, you might be surprised to hear that some locals are asking Santa for shampoo.

Originally founded by three public health nurses in 1973, Cupertino Community Services changed its name in 2008 to West Valley Community Services, since it also aids individuals and families in West San Jose, Los Gatos, and other surrounding areas. Its mission: to encourage the sharing of community resources in order to fulfill basic human needs.

Among the many programs run by WVCS, such as food drives and counseling, is the annual Adopt-a-Family program, where registered families fill out a Holiday 'wish list' (divided into 'needs' and 'wants'), which is then given to an anonymous 'adopter' in the area.

"There's this big myth that we don't have any clients in this region," says Jacqueline de Guzman, director of community resources. She explains that the high-tech, affluent neighborhoods and schools sometimes obscure the unfortunate reality—that there are people in need right here in Cupertino.

One adoptee asked for bedsheets, a teenager for razors. A senior citizen with poor eyesight requested a large-display digital clock.

Single seniors, often on fixed incomes, are sometimes left out of the image people have of Christmas charity, and although there are many children involved in the program, it is not merely a toy drive. Many families request food-related items such as microwaves and rice-cookers.

Larger families (those with seven or eight members) are often adopted by entire grade-levels at schools.

Because of the recession, WVCS has seen a change in its client base. "There's a new family type," says program manager Michelle Ma. "[One where] it's their first time needing assistance." With an increase in demand and a decline in funding because of major budget cuts in city governments, WVCS is even more desperate for community assistance.

"We have a huge cadre of volunteers," says de Guzman. This includes interns from San Jose State University. Without so many people willing to help, she says, they would not be able to continue these programs.

Although last year there were not enough volunteers to adopt all who registered, this year the surplus was on the other side, allowing all 140 families to be linked with counterparts. For adoptees who missed registration or prefer to pick their own gifts, WVCS holds a Holiday Shopping Spree in which individuals can choose from items donated by organizations and businesses in the area (many of which prefer to remain anonymous).

This year, West Valley Presbyterian Church donated the use of one of its buildings for the Spree, an act for which Ma and de Guzman say they are immensely grateful. Along with having more space, they were able to give families privacy and dignity; church staff members volunteered to do arts and crafts with the children in a separate room, allowing the parents to shop in secret.

"Some parents don't want their kids knowing where [the gifts] come from," explains Ma. If they want to, she says, "they can say the presents are from Santa."

WVCS even sets up a separate mini-spree for the children, who can also choose gifts in private from their parents.

Ma holds a Masters in social work, and de Guzman's area of study was political science and philosophy at the University of Hawaii. "I'm originally from Cupertino," says de Guzman. Having attended Garden Gate Elementary School herself, she feels lucky, she says, "to be able to come back and help the community."

Although holiday donations are vital, Ma points out that people often forget that help is needed year-round. "Our biggest goal is to serve as many clients as we can," adds de Guzman. "To be that safety net for the community."

Many clients find WVCS via referral, and although the private nonprofit agency also provides emergency assistance, its case managers mainly try to work with families to help them reach self-sufficiency. "We don't enable," explains de Guzman. "We encourage... [We want to] get them back on the road to caring for themselves."

Adopt-a-Family, however, can be breath of fresh air for families who are struggling. This year it was held at Union Church in Cupertino.

Melinda Smith, who has adopted families through WVCS for an estimated 15 years, looks forward to it every year. "I feel like I'm giving Christmas to people who might otherwise not get it," she says. "My own children have a big Christmas every year... my adopted family has no less right to one than they do."

One WVCS client, who has no relations in the area, wrote on his wish list that he would like a Christmas card.

"I'm not just giving presents," says Smith, who bought winter parkas, sweaters, boots, scarves, toys, and a space heater for a family of three this year. "I'm giving them reassurance, that there are people who care about them enough to show them love at Christmas... at least for one year, I make sure my adopted family can experience that joy."

For more information, visit the WVCS website. All donations are tax deductible.