A local non-profit agency is teaming up with a local business to provide Christmas gifts for children who might not otherwise have much under the tree.

Students at the Sunflower Diversified Services Early Education Center (EEC) and Incredible Years (IY) preschool will be the beneficiaries. Great Bend Coffee is sponsoring the activity.

"Great Bend Coffee is once again putting up a Christmas tree, which we truly appreciate," said Cathy Estes, EEC and IY coordinator. "This will provide an opportunity for some of our families to have an additional present this year. We can assure you they will appreciate it."

The tree will be at the coffee shop’s downtown location, 2015 Lakin, beginning Monday, Nov. 28. Tags are placed on the tree to represent children in early intervention programs and the preschool. Each tag indicates the gender and age of a child.

Those who take a tag are asked to put a gift under the tree before Dec. 12. EEC and IY staff members will pick up and deliver the gifts.

"In 2010," Estes noted,"22 percent of Kansas children were living in poverty. Things have not improved and for many of our families, they are doing well to provide only the necessary items such as food and clothing.

"We did our best to determine which of our families will benefit from this kind gesture at Great Bend Coffee," she added.

The EEC is part of the tiny-k network in Kansas that provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and delays. The preschool is for any child, including those who are developing typically.

Since the preschool opened three years ago, it has provided 66 scholarships for children who are at risk.

Sunflower’s service area includes Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. The non-profit agency also serves adults with disabilities.