The annual gift giveaway at St. John Roman Catholic parish in Westminster yesterday made Christmas wishes come true for more than 150 needy Carroll County families.

Wrapped packages held the promise of toys, clothing and groceries. Among the gifts were bicycles, scooters, skates and video games.

"My son asked for a bike, but I didn't think he would get one," said Cynthia, 42, loading a 10-speed into the trunk of her car with help from parish volunteers. "I am going to hide this somewhere and he will be so surprised."

With her husband on medical disability and her part-time hours cut, she was looking at a lean Christmas. Until yesterday - she left the church with a bag filled with presents, the bike and a gift certificate for groceries that will provide for a feast for the holiday and beyond.

Like all the recipients yesterday, Cynthia was identified by her first name to protect her privacy.

Amber, 24, was particularly grateful for the dignity with which she was treated.

"I don't want everybody to know I need help, but everybody needs help sometime," she said. "It's great that these people are there to give it."

Holding a 3-month-old girl in one arm and a second daughter, age 3, by the hand, Amber added, "They are even loading my car for me. What a blessing they have given me. We weren't going to afford Christmas this year."

Ellen, 32, was taking a bike home to her 7-year-old son.

"He has only been asking since May, but I was not going to be able to get it for him," she said. "I never thought this would happen."

Parishioners had filled a four-car garage and the basement of the parish center with gifts - each labeled with the recipient's first name and age.

Human Services Programs Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps Carroll's needy, provides the parish with the names of the needy families in early November. The church members choose tags with a first name, age, gender and a wish, and then go shopping.

Some requests are as simple as that of 11-year-old Robert, who asked for "anything," and 77-year-old Dolly, who asked for "goodies." Other requests were more specific, such as that of 11-year-old Michael, who asked for PlayStation computer games.

Volunteers assigned each family a number and assembled piles of presents. Everybody receives something - clothing, towels, linens or a warm blanket. Every family also gets a grocery gift certificate.

A card with a traditional manger scene is included.

The event runs with military efficiency, perhaps because its organizer, Larry McBee, is a retired Army National Guard brigadier general.

"Jesus came here on Earth to take care of the poor and the disadvantaged," McBee said. "What we're doing is continuing his work. These families get as much as we can do for them."

A line formed outside the parish center long before the noon opening.

"I asked for clothes and food," said Margie, 58. "I could really use a coat, but I will take anything."

Ginger, 37, was hoping for a George Foreman grill and the trendy toys her three children had on their wish lists.

"This is really a godsend," said the single mother who is caring for her ailing mother and working part time. "Without people like these, my kids wouldn't have Christmas."

The St. John group adopts more needy families from the list of nearly 400 households compiled at Human Services Programs than any other organization, said Joan S. McKee, deputy director.

"Without help from folks like this, we would never be able to help as many as we do," she said.

For volunteers such as Joe Wade, the giving is a gift in itself. The retired Baltimore police officer grew up during the Depression and remembers Christmas stockings that held little more than an apple or an orange.

Wade and his wife are making sure that scene is not repeated for a family with five children in Westminster.

"This really makes us feel we are doing something great for someone," Wade said.