COVINGTON — Seeing a child’s eyes light up at Christmas is one of the true joys of the holiday season.

If it weren’t for the generosity of some local folks, many children wouldn’t get to experience the thrill of opening a Christmas gift. Several organizations are collecting toys to distribute to needy families during the holidays.

Toys for Tots

For the 62nd year, the U.S. Marine Corps is collecting new, unwrapped toys for children from newborn to 12 years.

The goal this year is to collect 900,000 toys to give to certified charitable organizations, Gunnery Sgt. Edward Barrett said.

“People come to (the charities) to get toys. We do not give them to individual families,” Barrett said, adding that the Marine Corps verifies an organization’s 501(c)3 status through the United Way.

Toys for boys and girls ages 9 to 12 are the least donated, Barrett said. He suggested buying board games and electronics, such as 1 gigabyte MP3 players and remote-controlled cars for that age group.

The Marietta branch office for Toys for Tots is serving Newton County. Drop-off sites are located at the Zaxby’s restaurants on Turner Lake Road and Covington Bypass Road.

For more information, call 678-225-4599 or visit www.atlantatoysfortots.com.
The Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division and Capitol Police Service Unit are teaming up with the Marine Corps for the Toys for Tots campaign.

Collection points will be located at all 48 Georgia State Patrol posts, including Post 46 at 317 Ga. Highway 11 S.W. in Monroe.

“Many of our department members have served in the Marine Corps, including myself, the deputy commissioner and the commanding officer of the Georgia State Patrol Division, and know firsthand the impact Toys for Tots has on helping others,” said Col. Bill Hitchens, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

Donations can be made between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Dec. 11. Toys collected at posts will stay in the local area, according to a press release issued by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

Empty Stocking Fund

The Rotary Club of Covington will spread holiday cheer again this year through its Empty Stocking Fund.

By raising funds through its Vidalia Onion sales in the spring and Sportsman Raffle sales in the fall, as well as a contribution from the United Way of Newton County, the Rotary Club is able to help nearly 1,000 children age 13 and under each year who might not otherwise receive Christmas gifts.

The Rotary Club will collect unwrapped toys at collection boxes located throughout the community beginning after Thanksgiving. Collection sites will be announced at a later date. For more information, call 770-483-7108, ext. 226.

Department of Family and Children Services

The Newton County Department of Family and Children Services helps abused and neglected children all through the year, and the staff wants to make sure those children have a merry Christmas.

Toys and monetary donations to purchase toys are being accepted by DFCS. Some of the children who will benefit are living in foster homes and others remain home with their parents but due to limited resources, their families cannot purchase gifts.

Gifts for children from newborn to 18 years are needed. Suggestions for children ages 11 to 18, typically the age group that receives the least donations, include CDs and CD players; bath and body products; personal hygiene products; MP3 players; digital cameras; fragrances; gift cards; stationary; sportswear and sports gear.

Individuals or businesses and groups can adopt a child or an entire family and get a Christmas wish list to guide them in their purchases.

Donations may be dropped off at the DFCS office, located at 4117 Mill St. in Covington, through Dec. 23. For more information, call Alice Goolsby at 770-784-3150 or
e-mail algoolsby@dhr.state.ga.us.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is offering two ways to help make someone’s Christmas a little merrier. To adopt a child, the public can pick a name off the organization’s Angel Trees located at Cracker Barrel and BJ’s in Conyers. Each angel contains information about the child, including gender, age and clothing sizes. Unwrapped clothing and toy donations are welcome.

“We leave it up to the donor what to get for them,” said Director Jody Carver.

The Salvation Army is also giving a helping hand to senior citizens this year.

“Seniors are also the forgotten ones at Christmas. They’re just as excited to get a Christmas present as a child is,” Carver said, noting that many seniors live by themselves or in a nursing home and don’t have a family to join for holiday celebrations.
Donations of gift cards or clothes and other items are being sought for seniors age 55 and older.

In addition to dropping off gifts at Angel Tree locations, donations for children and seniors may also be made at the Salvation Army office, located at 5193 Washington St. S.W., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The deadline for donations is Dec. 18. For more information, call 770-786-2107.

Repairers of the Breach

New and unwrapped toys and monetary donations are being collected by Repairers of the Breach to give to families in need.

“We’re trying to help those we have not helped in the past,” said Manager Tonya Langford. Families are selected through an application process.

Donations can be made at the Repairers of the Breach thrift store located at 5120 Old Brown Bridge Road between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, now through Dec. 15.

For more information, call 770-787-7250.

Editor Alice Queen contributed to this story.