Those agencies that have joined forces to provide gifts for those who need it this Christmas season have said there are still a number of families that need to be adopted as gift recipients.
Sherry Weaver with Decatur County Community Cares is just one of many volunteers working with the Secret Santa program. Her organization has joined with Decatur County Family Connection, Salvation Army and 101.9 FM this year to collect presents, get families adopted out for gift donations and they are also collecting monetary donations and doing the shopping themselves.
As volunteers are heading into the final days before Christmas, they report their progress has been great, but there are still last minute needs on their list.
“There are close to 25 families that we still need to be adopted,” Weaver said. “We just want to make sure everyone is taken care of.”
She said there have been plenty of donations this season and that the reaction of the community has been overwhelming and truly a blessing.
“I was praying in my office this time last week and I was asking God how in the world this would all come together,” Weaver said, “and it has all come together almost.”
In total, volunteers this year have helped more than 400 children. There are still 25 families that need toys and other essential items.
She said they are asking the community for items like blankets for those families who do not have heat, or much heat, in their homes. Weaver also mentioned they are in need of more girl toy items than for boys.
“This has been the year for people to donate toys for boys, so we have more than enough,” Weaver said. “We have been going out constantly to buy things for girls.”
Decatur County Family Connection director Ronnie Burke said the overall drive this year and merging of several agencies has been a success.
“It has been a good coordinated effort with all of the different agencies,” Burke said, adding that the college of nursing at Bainbridge State College and even the local library have all adopted several families, along with many other public and private donors throughout the community. “People have been chipping in from all over and it has been great.”