DALTON, Ga. -- The kids all had one thing on their minds as they ate Christmas lunch at Providence Ministries.
Which toys am I going to choose?
"I just don't know," said Jessica Lorale, 11, as she waited in line with her four younger siblings. "There are so many kinds of toys."
The Lorale family made up just six of the more than 3,000 people that Providence Ministries served a hot lunch and gave presents to on Christmas.
Providence Ministries has been holding a Christmas lunch and toy giveaway from more than 15 years, said Jeff Lewis, organizational coordinator for Providence.
"A lot of these kids wouldn't have a Christmas without this," he said. "It's just a part of our ministry."
People began lining up outside of Providence in the early hours of the morning, as a group of more than 30 volunteers assembled to cook the food.
"Almost everything was donated," Lewis said. "We couldn't do this without the 300 volunteers who help."
People wait in the chapel of the Providence Ministries building to be served a holiday meal. The ministry provided about 3,000 people with and gave three toys to each child in Dalton, Ga., on Christmas Day.After eating a traditional Christmas meal of turkey, stuffing, candied yams and cranberry sauce, the families waited in line to enter the toy room, where each kids got to choose three toys.
Yellow trucks, Barbies, plastic tea sets, Beanie Babies and board games were just a few of the gifts the children got to choose between, as they wandered through rows of tables stacked high with the toys.
Fabian Rodriguez, 10, said he knew he wanted a remote control car for Christmas and was so excited when he saw there was one here.
"My favorite part of Christmas was getting some toys here," he said.
Eli Schwartz, 19, said it is a family tradition to volunteer at Providence on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"We love coming out and helping," he said.
He laughed as he watched the kids wander between the rows of toys.
"Some kids know exactly what they want, and others just can't decide," he said.
Roy Johnson, president and founder of Providence Ministries, said the day could not have gone better.
"It was a great meal, toys for the kids, and we were able to present the gospel," he said.
Providence feeds at least 500 people daily, and on Thanksgiving served 900 meals.
"The difference today is the toys," he said laughing. "Everyone comes for the toys."
Johnson said he is glad Providence can offer something special to these families in Dalton, as many of the families work hard, but do not have extra cash to spend on Christmas.
Lonnie Oates has been volunteering at Providence for 10 years.
"I just like to see a smile on a child's face when they get a present that they didn't get under the tree," he said, wearing a red Santa hat.
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@times freepress.com or at 423-757-6592.