What to bring
› Social Security cards for parents and children› Photo identification› Proof of guardianship if not parentSource: Forgotten Child Fund
More Info
Where: 1715 E. Main St., ChattanoogaCall: 423-697-0031Online: forgotten childfund.org
Parents who can’t afford to buy their children gifts this Christmas now can apply for help from the Forgotten Child Fund.
The nonprofit organization gives free toys to thousands of children in Chattanooga for Christmas every year. The fund started accepting applications for this season’s families on Tuesday. Parents or guardians can apply for help until Dec. 14.
Parents or guardians can apply in person at the Forgotten Child Fund’s headquarters at 1715 E. Main St. between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, said Clay Ingle, public information officer for the fund.
Last year, the Forgotten Child Fund gave toys to 10,513 children – the largest number of children it has ever helped, Ingle said.
“By far,” he said. “We just kept running out of toys and running out of toys. And when we did our final count, we saw, ‘Wow, we helped over 10,500 children.'”
About 75 percent of the toys the Forgotten Child Fund distributes are donated by community members, Ingle said. The fund asks for donations of new toys, rather than used. Donations can be dropped off at any Chattanooga fire station or Hamilton County ambulance center.
Parents who are applying should bring photo identification, proof of guardianship and each child’s Social Security card. Parents or guardians will go through an interview process, as well.
Once the applications are approved, volunteers pick and pack the toys for each family. When the “order” is ready, parents receive the call to come pick up the gifts. Typically, each child is given five toys.
“We don’t judge, we just want to help,” Ingle said. “There are people who are doing really good today. Everything is wonderful; they’re planning for a great Christmas. But then something will happen in two weeks – they’ll lose their job, or something – and we’re ready and prepared to help them.”
Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-757-6525 or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas.