NATCHEZ &8212; For the women and children at the Guardian Shelter, it means all the more to have a safe place over the holidays.

Director Sue Ann Brown said many of the abused women and children whom the shelter houses just don&8217;t have the financial resources to celebrate the way some people do.

&8220;We provide decorations for them to try and make it as homey as we can,&8221; Brown said.

The shelter is much more than a safe haven, she said. They provide employment assistance, education assistance, counseling programs and physician care, among other things.

There are several ways to help those at the shelter this time of year. Donations of food, cookware, utensils, linens, small televisions, VCRs and clothing are always accepted, and donors can adopt a family or children for Christmas.

&8220;If you pick one family, they&8217;ll give you a wish list, and whoever adopts that particular family will fill the needs of that family,&8221; Brown said. &8220;Or you can do for just the children or the women.&8221;

Simple monetary donations are welcome, too, she said. Those help with shelter operations and help them provide services, like dental work or prescriptions, to those in their care.

&8220;With money, we can buy what we need,&8221; Brown said. &8220;Any type of monetary donations would be helpful.&8221;

Another way to help is by volunteering, she said. The Guardian Thrift Shop and the shelter&8217;s daycare center both take volunteers.

Donations can be made by calling Catholic Charities at 601-442-4579, and financial donations can be sent to The Guardian Shelter at P.O. Box 1225 Natchez, MS 39121.