Friday, December 20, 2002

New toys, other gifts needed for area children

The 8th annual "12 Days of Caring" campaign, sponsored by Children's Restoration Network, continues through Dec. 24.

All Publix locations throughout 16 metro-Atlanta counties serve as collection sites for donations of new toys, clothing, books and other gifts for children without homes. The drive hopes to provide more than 1,300 children in shelters and group homes and more than 2,000 other underprivileged children with a merry Christmas

Children's Restoration Network is a local 501 C3 nonprofit organization serving 16 counties in the metro-Atlanta area. Eighty-four shelters and group homes and dozens of other agencies partake of its services during the holidays and throughout the year.

For three weeks each December, Publix serves as a collection site for donated new toys and gifts. Fox 5 promotes the campaign with public service announcements on "Good Day Atlanta" and during the weather with Ken Cook. Pepsi provides the gaily decorated bins and produces promotional bag stuffers.

Mimms Enterprises donates the space for the "Wrap Party" Dec. 19-22. Hundreds of volunteers wrap and personalize the gifts from individual wish lists from kids in shelters. Gifts are delivered and parties are held with the children.

Volunteers are needed later this week and early next week to wrap gifts, transport toys, deliver gifts to shelters and help give parties at shelters.

For more information contact Jim Cox or Cliff Kinsey at 770-649-7117.