The name dates back to the 1930s, when Addie Crist sewed and stuffed six red stockings full of Christmas treats for Island children who otherwise might have gone without presents. The stockings themselves are gone, but the name remains, and Ms. Crist’s legacy now resonates through many Island Christmas households, spreading charitable holiday cheer.

And if the legend of Addie Crist renders visions of a kindly woman quietly knitting red socks before a crackling fire, adjust your vision because the Red Stocking Fund takes quite a bit more legwork these days. With upwards of 350 Christmas wishes to fulfill, the annual program requires and depends on dozens of volunteers — to do the shopping, wrap the presents, chart the recipients — but it also demonstrates the unwavering generosity of a community determined to spread joy in this season to all Island families, not just their own.

These days codirectors Kerry Alley and Lorraine Clarke are responsible for organizing the many efforts that go into the stocking-stuffing event, as it has become known. It’s no longer just a Christmas affair, but one that extends throughout the holiday season and beyond. It’s hard to imagine that such an effort could be launched each year with a single meeting, but it’s true — Mr. Alley and Ms. Clark get their team together in October for about 10 minutes before they break to eat and socialize. “That’s part of the uniqueness of this organization,” said Mr. Alley. “We say it’s a case study for Harvard Business School. We have no budget, we just buy, provide, and we hope that the donations will come in.”

That said, it is also true that each year the work of Red Stocking increases. And this year more than ever, the fund needs help from the community. “We are going to be desperate,” said Ms. Clark. With the Vineyard economy in what some believe is its deepest downturn in recent memory, it is a lean year for giving, but the fund is holding out hope that last-minute donors will come through with gifts for those who have none. With so many requests, Ms. Clark said they aren’t even asking for specifics. Any new toys or books will help.

The fund is completely confidential, and there are strict eligibility requirements for applicants. “There’s a huge misconception that we just let anybody have Red Stocking without checking,” said Ms. Clark. “That is so untrue. We call people’s homes, we call the schools, we call Community Services. If we don’t know who these people are, or even if we do — we check.” People on public assistance generally qualify automatically. Applicants also must provide the name of a professional person in the community who can verify their need, such as someone in the school system or a medical professional.

In recent years Red Stocking has attracted a large number of Brazilian applicants, which can get tricky between language barriers and foreign families who are here illegally. But the team has a secret weapon. “We have this wonderful woman who works for the county health access program, named Maria Mouzinho, and she knows every Brazilian on the Island, I swear,” said Mr. Alley. When there is a question about someone’s eligibility, he calls Ms. Mouzinho. She also sits in during distribution, to help with the language barrier and name discrepancies between children and their parents. “She’s our key to the Brazilian population,” he said.

The Red Stocking fund collects donations year-round, including from community events like the great chowder contest, which takes place at noon tomorrow in the Mini Park as part of Christmas in Edgartown. The Martha’s Vineyard Harley Riders hold an annual Red Stocking Run, with proceeds benefitting the fund. Red Stocking is also the beneficiary of the annual WMVY Big Chili Contest, set this year for Jan. 29. And the fund helps needy families throughout the year, not just at Christmas. “We always keep some extra food vouchers for Reliable or Cronig’s or Stop and Shop,” said Mr. Alley. “If we get a call in the middle of July that there’s some family that doesn’t have any milk for their kids, we’ll just dig in.”

Proceeds from the fund-raising events and from private donations are essential to Red Stocking. It costs close to $75,000 annually to keep the effort going. This year, they’ve already spent $23,000 on food — part of that for Thanksgiving dinners for needy families. The rest will provide food and clothing for kids and their families at Christmas. Every child in the program receives the basics: hats, mittens, underwear, pajamas, and socks. Then they can make three special requests, for items like snow boots or winter coats.

But that is as far as the Red Stocking donation money goes. For the rest, the fund depends on donations of the items themselves. Toys and games, bicycles and fishing gear are all donated by individuals or businesses around the Island. Even beds.

“The East Chop Sleep Shop in Vineyard Haven, each year they give twelve complete beds,” said Mr. Alley. “And they deliver them.”

The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby committee donated rods and tackle boxes for kids.

And former Edgartown School librarian Patricia Carlet handles the books. “It’s important that kids get books,” said Ms. Clark. This year might be more of a challenge, due to financial pressures on donors. But Ms. Carlet won’t back down. “She will dog it until she gets a book for every kid,” said Mr. Alley.

Despite the generous donations, many Island children will go without this year. According to Mr. Alley and Ms. Clark, though recipients are strictly confidential, many Islanders are still embarrassed to ask for help. And worse, some parents simply cannot take the time to go through the application process. “Some of them are surviving,” said Mr. Alley. “Some of them are worried about what they’re going to feed their kids tonight, and if the oil bill is going to be paid. They don’t have time to worry about filling out the applications and looking at deadlines. They’re just overwhelmed with other things.”

Though the deadline for applications has passed, the organization can make exceptions. “People that really need it, but are not used to having it are the ones that come late,” said Ms. Clark.

There isn’t much time left for this year. Next week, volunteers will descend on Grace Church for a three-day wrapping marathon, beginning Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. Gifts and food will be distributed next Friday, Dec. 18.

Mr. Alley and Ms. Clark have between them almost 50 years of experience working with the Red Stocking Fund. They say soon it will be time for new coordinators to take over. But they are confident that the legacy of that benevolent first stocking stuffer will live on, much like another legendary figure celebrated at this time of year.

“Ironic, that her name was Crist,” Mr. Alley said.

Checks for the Red Stocking Fund may be mailed to Barbara Silva, Treasurer, P.O. Box 74, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.