Families helping families of the MIDLANDS
HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Thank you for giving!Donations always Welcome!since 1990
How it works
Since 1990
Helping
Local families
Celebrate the season
Our History
For 35 years, Palmetto Project has partnered with WIS News 10 and the incredible Midlands community to bring holiday magic to more than 75,000 families.
In 2025, YOUR support continued this special tradition by making spirits merry & bright for 3,957 local families with children, adults with disabilities, and senior citizens in need.
But none of this was possible without you, our wonderful Midlands community!
Your generosity powers the grassroots giving and community connection that make FHFM so impactful.
Stay tuned for more information coming soon on giving opportunities, family adoptions, and volunteering throughout the year.
Thank you!
Years of partnership
agency partners
Families served
Days until Christmas!
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Our Current Partner Counties
Richland
lexington
Newberry
Fairfield
FAMILIES IN NEED
who we serve
Families with children under 18
We serve children for back-to-school and at Christmas.
- Must be low-income (up to 150% FPL)
- Must be referred by a partner agency
(Ex: DSS, early interventionists, school social workers, or other approved community partners)
Adults with disabilities
We serve adults with disabilities at Christmas.
- Must be low-income (up to 150% FPL)
- Must be referred by a partner agency
(Ex: DDSN, Able SC, The ARC, etc.)
Senior Citizens
We serve senior citizens at Christmas.
- Must be low-income (up to 150% FPL)
- Must be referred by a partner agency
(Ex: HUD housing units, Senior Resources, DSS, etc.)
In loving memory
This year, we will deeply miss our long‑time friend and FHF volunteer, Mary Willis Hellams.
Mary poured her heart into this program for 25 years, and her dedication touched every family she served, and every volunteer who had the joy of working alongside her. Her laughter and her love for the Midlands community made FHF stronger.
FHF in 2026 will not be the same without her. But her legacy of generosity will continue to shine through the work we
do and the families we serve. We are grateful for her life, her service, and the example she leaves with us.
Proudly partnering with WIS News 10 since 1990!
INformation and FAQs
For Families seeking assistance
- We are a referral program.
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- An approved social service agency must screen, approve, and refer all families applying for assistance.
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- Now is the time to contact the agency where your family receives assistance.
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- Examples: DSS, Housing Authority, Disability & Special Needs Board, Mental Health, etc., or the child’s school social worker)
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- The application window will re-open in August 2026.
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- Exact dates may vary at each approved social service agency.
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How it works
Our Process
Our Palmetto Project team has partnered with 80+ approved social service partners in the Midlands to screen, approve, and refer families to us.
We serve families with children, senior citizens, and adults with disabilities in need.
