Residents at the Mariners Inn homeless shelter and addiction treatment program in Detroit are giving -- not just getting -- assistance this Christmas season, PNN Online reported Dec. 11.

For the third straight year, homeless men are working to raise $500 each for four struggling local families. The men, most of whom are in recovery from addiction, are giving money they earn by working as well as collecting donations from friends and local businesses.

"These men may be homeless but they are not hopeless," said David Sampson, chief operating officer at Mariners Inn. Added resident Richard Drewery: "If people had not helped me during my time of need, I don't know what would have happened. I just want to sort of give back what they gave me."

Program officials say the Adopt-a-Family campaign not only helps local families but also builds residents' sense of self-worth.