By Andy Diffenderfer
Correspondent
LAFAYETTE, Ga. – Holiday toy and food drives in Walker County are giving residents the chance to create a brighter Christmas for others.
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The Empty Stocking Fund provided food assistance for about 700 families and 2,300 individuals in Walker County last year.
Treasurer George Gilbert said applications have been very steady this year.
Applications can be picked up at the Walker County Department of Family and Children Services, Walker County Schools, the LaFayette Housing Authority and the Walker County Health Department, he said.
You can submit or mail applications to the Walker County Department of Family and Children Services, P.O. Box 689, Rock Spring, GA 30739, or the LaFayette Housing Authority, 300 Oak St., LaFayette, GA 30728. The application deadline is Friday.Nov.26
The Empty Stocking Fund, a United Way agency and all-volunteer effort, served about 700 families and 2,300 people last year, said Gilbert, vice president of The Bank of LaFayette.
Monetary donations can be brought to the bank at 101 W. Patton St. in LaFayette or mailed to Gilbert’s attention at the bank at P.O. Box 1149, LaFayette, GA 30728.
Food will be distributed from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 15 at the Walker County Agricultural Building in Rock Spring, Ga. Volunteers for distribution will be welcome.
For more information, call Gilbert at 706-638-2520.
TOY STORY
The Al Millard Stocking Full of Love effort provided Christmas toys for more than 2,000 Walker County children ages 1-14 last year.
Donations of money or toys are welcome, drive coordinator Bruce Coker said.
Toy distribution will be Dec. 18 beginning at 9 a.m. at Oakwood Baptist Church in Chickamauga, Ga. Volunteers are needed to help set up the night before and to distribute, Coker said.
“What we are needing most is people in the afternoon from 11 o’clock on,” he said. “We are needing more people to stay throughout the day and maybe help take it down.”
Families who want toys for their children can apply at the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Walker County Department of Family and Children Services and the Rossville Police Department Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Applications also may be mailed to Walker County Stocking Full of Love, P.O. Box 767, LaFayette, GA 30728. Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 30.
For more information, call Coker at 706-638-1909, ext. 276.
SEEKING SANTA
The Walker County Department of Family and Children Services is seeking individuals, organizations and businesses to play Santa this year to foster children.
Secret Santas can buy any and all items on a child’s wish list. Money donations also are welcome and are applied to a fund that helps Walker foster children and needy families at Christmas and throughout the year.
For more information, call Debra Parrish at the Walker department at 706-375-0769 or daparrish@dhr.state.ga.us.
Andy Diffenderfer is based in LaFayette, Ga. Contact him at andydiff97@comcast.net.