BANGOR – Christmas came early at the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter when Joe Lawlor, his wife, Ellen, and their teenage son, Joe II, delivered gifts to the agency on Dec. 1.

“Joe, his family and colleagues reaffirm the best of community spirit,” said shelter director Dennis Marble. “They stepped forward unasked. They wanted to get these things delivered before cold weather really sets in. We are very thankful.”

Lawlor and co-workers at ERA Dawson Bradford donated nearly $1,400 to the effort, which Lawlor spearheaded for the second year in a row.

“I wanted to do something that didn’t have a middleman in it, something that comes directly from people who care and goes directly to those in need,” Lawlor said.

Marble made suggestions about what items to supply. Gift items included gloves, hats, socks, stamps, writing supplies, playing cards, combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, candy and fruit, Lawlor said.

Ellen Lawlor wrapped the gifts and organized them into 40 individual gift bags.

“They are extremely busy, as all people are during this season. They set an outstanding example,” Marble said of the Lawlor family, Dawson-Bradford employees and others who made contributions to buy the gifts.

“I learned a lot,” Lawlor said of the effort. “Most of those who use the homeless shelter are mentally ill and receive services from many different agencies. They can’t help themselves. Christmas is a hard time for them. [One of the duties] of a good society is to help those who need assistance. I don’t think any money is wasted at that establishment.”

Those who donated funds for the gifts were Pauline Rock, Jon and Nancy Dawson, Roger Lucette, Teri Prescott, Sandy and Manch Wheeler, John Wilson, Mo Fer, John Colanino and Libby Brothers Inc., Lawlor said.

The Lawlor family also volunteers in the shelter’s soup kitchen.

“It helps me to appreciate the holiday a lot more,” Lawlor said. “When you bring the Christmas spirit to others, it’s also a blessing on yourself.”

To obtain more information about the shelter and its needs, call 947-0092.