Augusta Urban Ministries' processing of Christmas assistance applications went much more quickly this year.

"We're really excited the Christmas Clearinghouse went online. We found out who had already applied right away," said Amy Hobby Rickard, the executive director of the ministries.

Christmas Clearinghouse involves about 30 social service organizations and churches that work together to prevent duplication and make sure that as many people as possible receive the help they need during the holidays. The service has been around for at least 25 years, according to Brooke Howell, the community impact director at the United Way of the CSRA.

Organizations in several counties, including Richmond, Columbia and Burke, use the system. The United Way and the Salvation Army are the lead organizations.

For two decades, applications were processed by hand, and anyone who applied at more than one agency for Christmas help was removed from other lists so that help came from only one charity.

"Sometimes a grandmother may apply not knowing another family member may have already applied," Ms. Howell said.

In addition, there are those who try to get help from more than one agency.

Ms. Howell said that the duplication rate is between 5 percent and 7 percent.

The program went online for the first time this year. There are some kinks in the system, Ms. Howell said, but she believes next year it will function even better.

The Salvation Army recently received an $11,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation to purchase hardware and software to upgrade the Christmas Clearinghouse's Web-based efforts next year.

Ms. Howell said about 15,000 people were processed through the clearinghouse this season. She hopes that others will take advantage of the system next year.

"Our goal is for any church or civic organization to become a part to spread the Christmas donations of toys and food much further," she said.

For more information, call (706) 724-5544.

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.