NILES — Each spring, hundreds of people turn out to race in the Niles Service League’s 5K Color Fun Run. While the race seeks to serve as a fun way to get people out and enjoy the spring sunshine with family and friends, it also helps to raise money for an important tradition.

Each holiday season, the funds from the run help to aid the service organization’s Holiday Adopt-A-Family. This year’s run raised more than $5,000 for the cause.

This year, Mary Cooper, the president of the Niles Service League, said the group was able to buy gifts, winter clothing and food for 15 families, helping more than 50 children who live in the Buchanan, Niles or Brandywine school districts. Cooper said she believes the family adoption has been in place since the organization first banded together 84 years ago.

“This is the lifeblood of Niles Service League, giving to students,” Cooper said. “That might be the largest number [of families] we have helped yet.”

The families in need are recommended to the Niles Service League through the school districts. Prior to shopping, league members meet with the families to conduct an interview and pass their wish lists along to Santa.

“We introduce ourselves as elves,” Cooper said.

After crossing all the items off their wish list, Cooper said volunteers will wrap the gifts and deliver them before Christmas.

For Cooper, connecting with the families is one of the most rewarding aspects of the holiday tradition.

Another reward is the gratitude that the families express when the Niles Service League helps to make their holiday special, Cooper said.

“The hugs … oh my goodness, they are a great gift right back,” Cooper said. “You learn to appreciate and you actually want to give them more.”

Cooper also thanked local businesses for helping to support the Niles Service League’s efforts. This year, Martin’s Supermarket allowed the league to conduct a food drive after Thanksgiving. Lowry’s in Buchanan also helped to provide turkeys to the family.

“Now they can have a Christmas meal and food left over,” Cooper said.

In addition to supplying gifts for families for the holidays, the Niles Service League seeks to support local youth with a variety of necessities. Through the organization they have helped to supply college and vocational scholarships, camperships, clothing/eyeglasses for students, Holiday Adopt-a-Family and community contributions. There are 21 members enrolled in the organization.

Through her four years of experience serving the league, Cooper said the need of local families appears to be growing. She encouraged the community to support the organization’s efforts. Donations can be made by contacting the Niles Service League at NilesServiceLeague@gmail.com.