This Christmas finds thousands of Alabama steelworkers and coal miners either out of work or facing the imminent threat of being laid off.

As always, whenever people in this state are in need, others in this state are trying to help.

The group "Toys for Miners" is working to provide a merry Christmas to 274 children and holiday meals for 79 families. A food pantry started in October to help laid off employees of U.S. Steel is serving, on average, 110 people each day it is open.

These groups need the public's help to succeed.

"We need a ton of hands to help for the next two weeks," said Heather Bosch of Toys for Miners. If you would like to help, call Bosch at 205-561-8827 or email her at bosch4x4ford@aol.com.

On Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., a toys for miners rally will be held at Brookwood Park. The event will include a softball game, bike ride, music, food and an appearance by Santa Claus. People are asked to bring an unwrapped toy and there is a cost $125 per team for the softball game.

"We need lots of help on Dec. 12th and that whole week after put everything together and getting ready to hand out our toys. We need any and all sides for a Christmas dinner," she said. "We have a lot of older kids that ask for gift cards for clothes, gas, Game Stop."

The steelworkers food pantry had considered starting a toy drive, but lacked the time and resources, said Vanessa Powell, the grievance chair for the United Steelowrkers' local 2210.

"There has been so many needs, it's been overwhelming," Powell said. "Every week, we've had more people laid off."

Donors can give money designated for purposes other than the food pantry, Powell said, and those funds will be set aside to help the workers in other ways.

"When members come to us with a specific need, we work to help them out with that," Powell said.

The pantry will shut down on Dec. 18 after nearly 58,000 pounds of food was served to more than 750 families, according to Samuetta Nesbitt, spokeswoman for the United Way of Central Alabama.

"What we'd like to do at United Way is not only help with food, but with any other challenge they are facing," Nesbitt said. That could include tax filings and the threat of foreclosure, she said.

To contribute to the steelworkers' relief effort, email Powell at uswa.vpowell@yahoo.com.

Hello and Welcome to the Toys For Miners Facebook Page!Here you will find current information for all the (VERY MANY)... Posted by Toys for Miners on Sunday, November 8, 2015

Toys for Miners is also partnering with SantaCon, an annual pub crawl featuring folks dressed like St. Nick, to raise money for miners' families.

At the SantaCon kick-off event hosted by Druid City Brewing on Dec. 10, 20 percent of sales will go to charity. People can also bring a toy for the toy drive and receive a Druid City Brewing Gift Certificate.

Toys for Miners is collecting donations at these locations: