NEW BERLIN ­– Churches in New Berlin demonstrate the “spirit of giving,” which is what the Christmas spirit and the spirit of the community is all about this Saturday.

Many local churches including the First United Methodist Church, St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church have come together to host the annual “Spirit of Christmas” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the New Berlin Fire Department located at 2 School St. in New Berlin.

“There are so many people in this area that need help. We are making sure they have a nice Christmas dinner and enjoy the spirit of Christmas,” said Marty Benson, the organizer of the annual holiday event. “It's heartwarming.”

Mayor Terry Potter said the Village, Chobani and many of the churches pull together to provide food baskets and toys to families in need. He also said more churches have joined the cause this year.

Local families who are in need this season can fill out a form with the sex and ages of their children to receive toys and mark whether or not they need a food basket. The elderly can also fill out a form to receive a food basket, which includes meat, potatoes and vegetables for a Christmas dinner.

Benson said they are asking people to donate any other food items they can such as butter, fruit, soup or any other type of food they can donate.

When families come to pick out toys, they are given 15 minutes with the most privacy possible to pick out toys without their children present. Benson said they want children to be surprised by the gifts they receive. Tables are set up in the firehouse, separating toys by sex and age with tables ranging from infant to teenage years.

Churches are also being asked to donate fleece blankets, hats, scarves and mittens, according to Benson.