Feature/General
Holiday Opportunities Abound to Teach Children About Giving Back
By Nancy Omdahl
November/December 2004

Looking for ways to emphasize giving instead of getting this holiday season? There are many opportunities in Athens for children to help others. Ask if your child’s class, sports group, Scouts group, or other organization with which you are affiliated is doing any charitable work for the holidays. Hooking up with a group you’re already familiar with is convenient. For example, Tuckston Learning Center offers its parents of preschoolers white bags to fill with simple toys and school and hygiene supplies for children of an age of their choosing, which are distributed to families in need at a Tuckston United Methodist annual dinner. We simply return the bag or bags to the preschool by a certain date.


Other opportunities include:

Salvation Army toy and clothing gifts
This year, instead of Christmas trees at the mall, the Salvation Army is looking for individuals, families, classes and organizations to adopt a child for the holidays by providing that child clothing and toys for the holidays. Juanita Archer says parents in need come to the Salvation Army and sign up their families, and include children’s sizes and toy wishes. Donors receive the child’s age, clothing size and a toy wish, then purchase the items. The organization also provides stockings for the children and organizes a food drive in early December to provide food for the holidays to the family. Last year, the Salvation Army had 1,700 children in Clarke, Oconee, Madison, and Oglethorpe counties to serve. To adopt a child, call Juanita at 543-5350.

Department of Family and Children Services Angel Program 2004
Foster care families often have four, five, or six children to provide for during the holidays. You can help by adopting a child, or set of siblings, and buying items from his or her wish list. DFACS also includes children in its child protective services unit, and last year listed 800 children. Sponsors know the age, gender and first name of the child. Items need to be returned to DFACS by mid-December in time for foster parents to pick up. For more information, call Maureen Sullivan with the program at 227-7010.

Joyce Ervin’s Open Hearts Center, adopt a family
If you’re up for a whole family, small or large, Joyce Ervin’s Open Hearts Center helped 25 families last year, and hopes to help more this year. “Some people have been reluctant to buy for older children, but we encourage you to consider a gift card to a local department store for them,” Ervin says. “And we always welcome gift cards to grocery stores for families or for the center if there is a family with an emergency.” Donations are accepted until Christmas Eve. The children and parents provide a wish list of items that would be appreciated. Call Joyce at 354-8566 for more information.

Athens Community Council on Aging
If you would like to donate your time with your child this holiday season, the Adult Day Care Center on Old W. Broad St. is always seeking volunteers to participate in various activities alongside an elderly person. Most of the elderly cared for by the center just need an extra pair of hands to help with BINGO or other games, and a friendly smile. Children with an adult caregiver are welcome. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call Eve Kumnick, the director, or Keith Adams, activity director, at 548-6476.

Athens Area Humane Society and other animal shelters
If your child is especially drawn to animals, area shelters continually need supplies, as well as old blankets and towels. Call 353-2287 for the AAHS.

Operation Christmas Child shoe box project
Central Baptist is once again collecting shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children in need in developing countries. In the past, more than 12,000 shoe boxes annually from northeast Georgia have been sent out. To pack a shoe box, select boy or girl, and age 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Fill the box with small toys, T-shirts, school supplies, flashlights with extra batteries, toothpaste, soap or toothbrushes – items your child likes, too. Do not include any war items (play guns or knives) nor any perishable items including chocolate, liquids, medicines or breakables. Wrap the box and the lid separately and include $5 for shipping. You can even include a picture of your family and name and address if you hope to communicate with the recipient. For more information, see the web site, www.samaritanspurse.com, including a short form on age/gender of recipient. Collection at Central Baptist, 720 Danielsville Road, ends Nov. 22.

Additional opportunity to give (received after going to print):

Toy Store
Families in need register to receive tickets to "spend" in a "toy store". This arrangement allows parents to select toys that their children will enjoy. The event is sponsored by Sparrow's Nest Mission Church and is held at the First Methodist Church in downtown Athens.

Families can participate by donating new toys (valued at $15 or less) or by donating money. Donations are tax deductible. For more information contact Pastor Earl Delmarter (706)255-7204.