The high cost of rent, natural gas and electricity would have put a crimp in Christmas for one area woman –– if not for The Era’s Less Fortunate Fund.

She said she is grateful for such programs as The ELF Fund, which provides gifts for area children and senior citizens who otherwise would not have a Christmas gift to open. Instead of seeing a distraught, sad 4-year-old, the recipient said she will see a beaming, happy child on Christmas morning.

“It’s awesome. It really helps out. Nowadays, it’s really tough to find work,” the mother said after receiving the gifts at the distribution center at the former Goodwill location on Davis Street.

Throughout a few hours on Friday, individuals filtered into the building that housed hundreds of gifts for the less fortunate. In fact, ELF Fund chairman Ed Hayden said about 160 people stopped by as of around noon Friday, and of that number, there are about 100 senior citizens.

Some of the recipients expressed appreciation for  the presents, and some wished the volunteers a “Merry Christmas.”

People apply to be part of The ELF Fund, and then tags are distributed throughout the Bradford area. Area residents take the tags, purchase gifts and take the presents to the distribution location. There, the presents are organized.

“It’s quite a process. We got it down a science,” Hayden said.

Compared to last year, there were about the same number of recipients but a few more presents, Hayden said.

All of the recipients received age-specific books. About 50 personal care bags were given out to unaccompanied minors in the Bradford Area School District, Hayden said.

The ELF Fund dates back to 1983 when an economic recession slammed Bradford. People found themselves jobless, and some folks had a difficulty making ends meet. Officials at The Era desired to help, so the first drive was organized.

The above recipient said her family tries to help out others, oftentimes putting themselves last. Being able to be on the receiving end –– in this case, The ELF Fund –– is a huge blessing, the woman said.

Some of the leftover toys are earmarked for the 911 Toys Express, which is a similar effort hosted by the city’s fire and police departments.