The 2 Fishes Project is now accepting applications for families in need of Christmas gift assistance.  Courtesy photo

While many North Texans are planning Fourth of July cookouts and looking forward to fireworks, Danielle Girdano is already thinking about Christmas.

Applications opened July 1 for the 2 Fishes Project’s annual holiday assistance program, kicking off months of planning, shopping, wrapping and organizing to ensure local families in need can experience the joy of Christmas.

Registration remains open through Aug. 1.

“The logistics just takes time,” Girdano said. “We provide Christmas for families who otherwise would not have it.”

Founded by Girdano after nearly years of quietly helping families during the holidays, the 2 Fishes Project became an official nonprofit as its mission continued to grow. Last year, the organization helped families throughout the area, including in Farmersville, and this year hopes to serve as many as 2,000 families.

Girdano said applications open in the middle of summer because creating personalized Christmases for hundreds of families is a months-long effort.

“We have families that are nominated to us. It’s overwhelming. We have to turn people away,” she said. “I think the need in this area is much greater than what people may realize.”

The nonprofit works with an extensive network of community partners, including local food pantries, outreach organizations, veterans groups, Meals on Wheels and other nonprofits that help identify families facing financial hardship.

Rather than focusing solely on children, the organization provides gifts and essentials for entire households.

“We take care of the whole family,” Girdano said. “It’s not just about the kids. It’s about mom or dad, maybe grandma lives with them. We do everything from decorations to Christmas trees to bicycles, toys, clothes and school supplies.”

The organization also provides household items, outdoor games, tools and even gifts for family pets. Each family completes a questionnaire that helps volunteers personalize the gifts based on favorite colors, hobbies, interests, needs and holiday wishes.

While many families receive their gifts through the project’s “Reindeer Families” delivery program in November, others are invited to a Christmas Eve celebration at Girdano’s home.

The event includes a live nativity, Santa Claus, food, activities and the presentation of larger gifts such as bicycles. Adults receive gifts as well, something Girdano said often becomes one of the evening’s most meaningful moments.

“Santa knows their names,” she said. “When he walks up to an adult and hands them a gift, it is the most magical thing ever.”

The project has grown so much that Girdano’s home in Lavon once became overwhelmed with donated items before volunteers helped construct a storage building on her property in 2024. Today, the nonprofit continues seeking additional retail partners, donated merchandise and volunteers to meet increasing demand.

As of July 1, just hours after registration opened, Girdano said she had already received more than 100 requests for assistance.

She said the organization’s mission is to restore hope, renew faith and relieve some of the financial stress families face during the holidays.

“We want Christmas to be joyful and be a celebration, not be a time of stress or worry,” she said.

Families needing assistance through the 2 Fishes Project can request an application by emailing [email protected]. Registration is open through Aug. 1. Applicants are vetted through the organization’s network of community partners, and Girdano encourages those experiencing financial hardship to apply as early as possible.

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