AUBURN - The Christmas season can be one of the most exciting times of the year, especially for a young child, eagerly awaiting the morning when they can tear into those shiny boxes.

For those children and families that are less fortunate, this can be a difficult time of the year.

For years the Christmas Elf program has been trying to ensure that as many families and children as possible have a merry Christmas morning.

When 10-year-old Mitchell Hogan was reading about the Christmas Elf in the newspaper with his mother, Michelle, he was struck by the idea that he could do something to help the Christmas Elf.

"We were reading about the less fortunate families," Mitchell said. "I felt bad that that they weren't going to have any presents for Christmas and it made me want to help."

Mitchell, who celebrated his birthday at Champions For Life Saturday, thought that his birthday party would be the perfect opportunity to lend a hand to the Elf.

In lieu of receiving gifts for himself, Mitchell asked that his friends and family bring unwrapped gifts that could be given to the Elf.

"It feels really good," he said. "I think my friends feel good for doing this, and it makes me feel good."

Mitchell's mother said that this act fits right in with what she called her son's naturally compassionate nature.

"He has always wanted to help people," Michelle said. "I think it is so wonderful that wanted to do this. I think this is a wonderful program and this is the kind of thing that begins one person at a time and I'm very proud of him for wanting to do this."

Even without the presents, Mitchell said that he still had a very happy birthday.

"It has been a lot of fun," he said. "We've been playing soccer and dodgeball, so it has been a really fun birthday."

Surrounded by a table of clothing, games and toys all earmarked for other children, Mitchell said that he was pleased to think of where they were going.

"I want other kids to have something for Christmas," he said. "I think about people playing with these toys and getting to open them on Christmas and seeing the smiles on their faces."

And Mitchell's generous act comes at a crucial time for the Christmas Elf.

According to Terry DeFelice, a Christmas Elf committee member, donations have been down this year.

"I think things are a little harder for people this year," DeFelice said. "People are still donating but they aren't giving as much as they have in the past. We have had a lot of great donations, but right now there isn't enough for all the applications that we have received."

DeFelice said that from what has been donated so far, the Christmas Elf program has been able to pack gifts for nearly 400 families.

But she said there are still more than 120 applications whose requests have not been filled and that there are always last-minute applications that come in.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Citizen.