Holiday Helping Hands

Miracles do happen! Why? Because people in our community make them happen. Yes, the Towne Lake area community is very caring and generous. We have updated our list of organizations in Cherokee County for December that need help making those miracles happen - for families in need, for boys and girls who may not receive a gift from Santa or for the senior citizens in our community who need to know they are not alone during the holidays.

Hillside United Methodist Church's Christmas Angel Program is an annual tradition for the community to help nearby children and families in need at Christmas. This year, more than 450 children from several area schools and organizations have been identified as needing assistance. Each child is assigned a sponsor who will purchase Christmas gifts using that child's wish list. All gifts are delivered to the children by Hillside's congregation and community members. Anyone can help by sponsoring a child. Trees will be set up at Hillside Church with stars representing individual children and his/her wish list. Stars can be chosen from the trees during Sunday services until December 8 or you may call Hillside to select a star over the phone. They are also accepting monetary donations. For more information, contact the church at (770) 924-4777 ext. 257.

The Cherokee Family Domestic Violence Center provides temporary shelter for women and their young children from abusive men in their lives. According to Harriet Rogers, staff member for the Shelter, they are always in need of paper products such as paper towels, toilet paper, baby wipes, large-size disposable diapers and feminine products. The shelter is also accepting used Halloween costumes for next year. This is a need Ms. Rogers has seen during the past Halloween, and for those who throw away costumes, donating them is an excellent alternative. To donate items to the Shelter, call Harriet at (770) 479-1804 ext. 28.

U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots is a national not-for-profit charity which collects and distributes new toys to underprivileged children in the community. The collection campaign runs from October - December with distribution taking place on December 23 and 24. Last year, more than 100,000 children received 225,000 toys through Toys for Tots nationwide. The community is asked to donate new, unwrapped gifts at any designated location. In Woodstock, those locations are any Quiktrip or at the Atria, an assisted living facility, located at 1000 Professional Parkway in Woodstock.

Holiday Wings of Hope, a holiday project administered by the Anna Crawford Children's Center, collects holiday gifts for less fortunate children and teenagers served by the Center. Each year, the children are treated to a party and toys at Christmas. Donations of food, toys and clothing are needed. Financial donations are also needed to not only assist in this holiday program but for children's needs throughout the year. To drop off toys or receive a wish list submitted by a family, contact Leigh Henry at (770) 592-9779.

MUST Ministries is collecting toys, Secret Santa Shop gifts, and supplies for their Annual Toys are a MUST program. The Secret Santa Shop allows parents to shop for their children at no cost and children to shop for their parents or guardians. The shop will be open December 8 - 22, by appointment only. MUST Ministries is requesting new, unwrapped toys and small gifts for the Secret Santa Shop; however, donations of used items will be accepted as long as they are clean and in excellent condition. To volunteer or for more information, contact Elizabeth Harrah at (770) 479-5397.

The Cherokee County Boys and Girls Club is busy planning its Annual Christmas Party

for over 120 boys and girls, on December 20. Donations of gifts are needed for children ages 6 to 16, with the biggest need being gifts for the teenagers. Monetary donations are also accepted as these donations can be used to purchase gifts. If you need more information or wish to make a donation, contact Jeff Brooks, Program Director, at (770) 720-7712.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Reserve Unit is once again assisting families in need with their "Christmas Joy Program." The unit will be delivering goods to families on Saturday, December 21. A variety of donations are needed including food, toys (especially for older children 12 - 16 years old) and baby items, such as disposable diapers. Monetary donations are also encouraged. The Unit also would like to see donations for the elderly such as toiletries. Donations will be accepted at any Sheriff's precinct office. Monetary donations can be mailed to Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, Attn: Sgt. Danny Mackey, c/o Ginny Soper, 498 Chattin Drive, Canton, GA, 30115. For further information, call Sgt. Mackey at (770) 345-6374.

Papa' Pantry is a year-round local food ministry that reaches out to Cherokee County families in times of need. Currently, they are in desperate need of the following staples: rice, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, juices, laundry detergent, and bleach. They also accept fresh fruits and vegetables. Papa's Pantry is also sponsoring an Adopt-a-Family program. It takes approximately $40 - $50 per family (depending on size) for perishables for two weeks, or $80 - $100 per month. If you wish to help, a donation barrel is located The TowneLaker office at 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 340 in Woodstock. You can also send a monetary donation to P.O. 144, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. For additional information, call (770) 402-9747 or (770) 926-7128.

Feed My Lambs is a non-profit, local ministry whose goal is to create tuition-free Christian preschools for needy and underprivileged children in our area. For the past 16 years, the ministry has held Happy Birthday Jesus parties at their preschools. They would like to provide each child with a Happy Birthday Jesus sweatshirt, a winter hat, mittens and a gift. A big holiday dinner is also planned. The ministry needs assistance with food and monetary and gift donations. They also need volunteers to assist in buying, preparing, and cooking the meals and purchasing gifts for the children. The Happy Birthday Jesus sweatshirts are available to the public. By purchasing a sweatshirt for yourself or for a child for $20, you will be assisting with the many needs of the ministry. For more information on the birthday parties or the ministry, call Elizabeth Wetherby at (770) 924-6301.

The Cherokee County Senior Services is holding its third annual Adopt a Senior for the Holidays program. There are so many homebound elderly, who are often home alone and in desperate need of the most basic necessities. Some of these items include non-perishable foods, such as single servings of canned fruits, vegetables, and meats. They also need toiletries, blankets, sweaters, robes and slippers. When someone "adopts" a senior, he or she will be given a list of what is needed most for that senior. For more information or to adopt a senior, call Sharon Smith at (770) 345-7440.