HOMER - Nearly 500 children ages birth through high school will have a brighter Christmas this year thanks to donors supporting Banks County Family Connection.
All Wrapped Up Community Christmas now plans to serve 479 children, a number that has risen by almost 30 in the past week.
Many of the children live in family homes in the county, while at least a half dozen live in extended stay lodging.
Banks County Family Connection Director Carol Williams is spearheading the effort, spending her days coordinating and picking up donated items.
"In order to get on the list, the families in need either come to me and apply, or they are recommended by a church, sheriff's department, teacher or counselor," Williams says. "We ask that sponsors buy an outfit, shoes, a jacket and a toy of some sort. We also this year hope to have food for all the families."
Upon learning of the work being done by Williams to gather the food, toys and other items needed for the upcoming distribution, Hayes Automotive of Baldwin donated the use of a van to ease the collection process.
The effort also is drawing support from a local church congregation.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $1,000 worth of food that will be distributed to needy residents of the county. The food was provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bishops Storehouse. The Church operates Bishops Storehouses throughout the world.
The 536-member local congregation is the Commerce Ward, located at 4859 Mt. Olive Road in Commerce. It is part of the larger regional organization of congregations called the Athens Stake.
The mammoth All Wrapped Up effort needed a home where items could be warehoused, so Homer Fire Chief Cliff Hill and his department stepped up and made room at the town fire station.
Items will be stored there and prepared for distribution on Dec. 19.
Serving 449 children was going to be a challenge, but then that number rose by 30 in only a week.
"It's a great big order in this small county," Williams says.
Fortunately, people are supporting the effort.
"When we find out that there is a need, people in the community are really coming out," Williams says. "The Home Depot, Regions Bank, Northeast Georgia Bank and Banks County Sheriff's Office are all doing Angel Trees, and the trees have angels on them that have all the kids' information so you can take an angel and buy the gifts. Picking out an angel on the tree is just a great way to give back to the community for this Christmas season."
Sheriff Carlton Speed says his officers and staff are excited to be part of the effort.
"The sheriff's office is really excited about working with Family Connection this year with the Angel Tree," Speed says. "It's going to be a blessing to so many children in the community to have the opportunity to have a Christmas."
Additionally, Family Connection officials learned of a home in the county that was experiencing a bed bug infestation.
John and Ashley Speir of Sweet Dreams Mattress & Furniture Company at Banks Crossing assisted Family Connection with obtaining the mattress sets needed for that family once the infestation is treated.
"Carol at Family Connection does an outstanding job with the people in the community in helping so many folks," Speed says. "We're just excited to be involved this year."
Speed says people are invited to drop by the sheriff's office and pick up an angel off the tree.
"If we don't have any left, we will take any monetary donation that anybody wants to drop off to us and we'll pass it on to Family Connection so that we can be a blessing to these children this holiday season - and that's what we're looking forward to," Speed says.
Monetary donations also can be mailed to Banks County Family Connection, P.O. Box 264, Homer, GA. Family Connection is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so donations are tax-deductible.
Sheriff challenges elected officials
Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed is challenging all Banks County elected officials to provide for one of the children in need this Christmas.
"I'd like to take the opportunity to challenge every elected official in Banks County to come by and pick up an angel and let's support the people in the community, because that's what it's all about this season," Speed says.
