Without some extraordinary help, hundreds of Jackson County children can look forward to a bleak Christmas.
Typically, generous Jackson County businesses, civic and school groups and individuals, working through Holiday Connections, donate enough cash and toys to put something in the stocking for most needy children.
Holiday Connections struggles to meet Christmas need
But this is no normal year. Many are unemployed, which means there are more folks in need and fewer able to help them.
“Normally, we are pretty much able to accommodate most families we know have a need,” says Nikki Adams, Jackson County Family Connections coordinator who also manages the Holiday Connections Christmas program. “Definitely, applications are up.”
Holiday Connections is the umbrella organization that coordinates efforts to help the needy at Christmas. It works to get groups and individuals who “adopt” families at Christmas to go through it to avoid duplication and to spread the generosity as far as possible.
“We found out years ago that some families will go to DFACS (Department of Family and Children Services) for help and go to other civic groups too,” Adams said. “We try to get the school systems and everybody to send referrals here. We screen applications and make sure there is a need. Then church and civic groups come and adopt families.”
The problem is that this year there are more families to adopt and donations are running behind.
In 2006, Holiday Connection served over 1,100 kids. That number rose to 1,400 in 2008 and, due to the economy, fell to a little over 1,200 last year.
Holiday Connections is taking applications through Friday. It accepts late applications and, Adams said, can usually help half of the late applicants.
“But this year I’m not sure we’re going to be able to do that,” she added.
Donations of toys and cash will be accepted right up until Christmas.
Typically, various school groups hold toy drives, as do Curves, several of the Tanger outlet stores, the 4-H Club and the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce.
Adams figures local supporters will come through again this year, although the ability of some to give may be less than in the past. The hope is that new donors will come forth with cash and toys to cover the increased demand.
To inquire about holding a toy drive, call 706-367-3021 or send an email to jacksonfamilyconnection@yahoo.com. Donations can be mailed to Family Connections, P.O. Box 883, Jefferson, GA 30549.
“Normally, we are pretty much able to accommodate most families we know have a need,” says Nikki Adams, Jackson County Family Connections coordinator who also manages the Holiday Connections Christmas program. “Definitely, applications are up.”
Holiday Connections is the umbrella organization that coordinates efforts to help the needy at Christmas. It works to get groups and individuals who “adopt” families at Christmas to go through it to avoid duplication and to spread the generosity as far as possible.
“We found out years ago that some families will go to DFACS (Department of Family and Children Services) for help and go to other civic groups too,” Adams said. “We try to get the school systems and everybody to send referrals here. We screen applications and make sure there is a need. Then church and civic groups come and adopt families.”
The problem is that this year there are more families to adopt and donations are running behind.
In 2006, Holiday Connection served over 1,100 kids. That number rose to 1,400 in 2008 and, due to the economy, fell to a little over 1,200 last year.
Holiday Connections is taking applications through Friday. It accepts late applications and, Adams said, can usually help half of the late applicants.
“But this year I’m not sure we’re going to be able to do that,” she added.
Donations of toys and cash will be accepted right up until Christmas.
Typically, various school groups hold toy drives, as do Curves, several of the Tanger outlet stores, the 4-H Club and the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce.
Adams figures local supporters will come through again this year, although the ability of some to give may be less than in the past. The hope is that new donors will come forth with cash and toys to cover the increased demand.
To inquire about holding a toy drive, call 706-367-3021 or send an email to jacksonfamilyconnection@yahoo.com. Donations can be mailed to Family Connections, P.O. Box 883, Jefferson, GA 30549.
Throughout all the years of my life, there have been a few times when I struggled financially especially during the Christmas season. However, no matter how tough of a time I was having, I would always make a donation or two to "Toys for Tots" or any of the other similar charities for children or disabled/mentally handicapped adults during Christmas time. On the years that I was struggling financially, I would buy at least one toy for a girl & one toy for a boy at one of the many 'dollar stores'; their toys there are often very cheap(a lot under $5); so, two toys from there will only set you back a few dollars, and that's the reason I couldn't see NOT doing it. That's just me...only my opinion.
As far as sending messages. The abuse of "welfare" didn't just surface overnight. People have been abusing the system for years. And now all of a sudden people want it to stop. Well, it should have been monitored more closely years ago, not just now when the economy is bad. The increase of people needing assistance is due to lost jobs, etc... I'm sure some of these people would have never in their wildest dreams imagined having to ask for help of any kind. You make it sound as if everybody that fills out an application for assistance with Christmas for their kids are absolute deadbeats. That is NOT the case. Some of them were very hard working people that lost their jobs or got laid off.
Have you ever volunteered at Family Connections or at a toy drive to help these people? I have and believe me it is an humbling experience. To see the look in the parents eyes knowing that their children were getting something (A TOY) for Christmas was present enough for me. You know the ones that are sincere and really need it. It really makes the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" ring true.