DALTON, Ga. -- The desperate call went out three days before Christmas.
Ed Johnson needed 1,500 AA batteries to power the growing pile of toys for good little girls and boys.
He called friends and business contacts. Someone found a supply of batteries in Atlanta. They could be in Dalton by Friday.
Crisis averted.
Johnson, Dalton's self-appointed toy man, sighed in relief as he juggled phone calls and last-minute details on Wednesday.
"That's just batteries; right now we are in scramble mode," he said.
Johnson and dozens of other volunteers in Northwest Georgia are preparing for Providence Ministries' annual Christmas dinner and toy giveaway.
No one is sure exactly when the faith-based nonprofit organization began the tradition. But it has grown and grown -- this year they expect to feed more than 5,000 people and provide more than 10,000 toys to about 1,800 children.
In a town such as Dalton, where the unemployment is close to 13 percent and factories have announced more layoffs by the end of the year, the food and gifts may be a lifeline for many families, volunteers say.
"It is the highlight of my year," Ed Johnson said. "You feel so doggone good when you leave -- my wife and I go home and sleep like babies on Christmas night."
Volunteers Kim and Sierra Brake help 7-year-old Brianna Rendon pick out a stuffed at animal for Christmas at Providence Ministries.Johnson and his wife first volunteered to help with the Christmas dinner at Providence Ministries years ago.
They watched as a few toys were distributed among hundreds of children. One little girl captivated them with her brown eyes and bright smile as they handed her a ball.
They've been back every year and, eventually, Johnson assumed responsibility for collecting the toys and money.
Dozens of businesses and residents contributed about $20,000 this year to buy the toys. Johnson placed his toy order in October, negotiating reduced rates with businesses to stretch every dollar.
Other organizations and individuals held toy drives.
The toys will be sorted into piles by age level and price. Each child will be allowed to pick at least three toys as he or she goes through the line.
"It's fantastic the way this town comes together when there's a need," Johnson said. "A lot of these kids would get nothing for Christmas, but now they are going home happy."
Providence Ministries founder Roy Johnson, who is not related to Ed Johnson, said organizers expect an increase in attendance this year. Dalton residents and those in surrounding counties are feeling the pinch of continued high unemployment and layoffs.
The ministry overall has seen an increase in demand for services ranging from daily meals and homeless shelters to drug-treatment programs.
"It's been really tough," Roy Johnson said. "But Christmas Day there will be a lot of fun, a lot of excitement. Anybody is welcome."