Give Thanks, Give Back
‘Tis the season to give thanks and spread cheer to those in need. Help make the holidays merry for kids and others in our community by giving to one (or more) of these organizations devoted to helping others. We will add more as we hear of them, but these will get your holiday spirit moving.
Project Backyard Winter Clothing Drive
Project Backyard is collecting new and very gently used winter clothing, including coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, blankets and pants to give to individuals and families as part of their Free Community Thanksgiving Day Meal. Items can be dropped off at the Thomasville High School Cafeteria – 315 S. Hansell St. – on Wednesday, November 22 from 5-8 p.m. Volunteers are also needed for the Thanksgiving event on November 23. Click here for more information.
Nominate A Service Member
In partnership with Judy’s Hero Boxes, HOTC is collecting items for holiday care packages for both active-duty service members and veterans. Items can be dropped off at the HOTC office at 1213 East Jackson Street by Thursday, November 30.
Know a service member – past or present – we can send a care package to? Make a nomination here now through Thursday, November 30.
Vashti Center for Children and Families
Help the youth who call the Vashti Center “home” celebrate the holiday season! Each $300 donation fulfills one child’s enter Christmas list that is made of items they both need (usually undergarments and toiletries) to items they want (LED lights, makeup, new sneakers, games and more). Your gift of any amount this season many be the light a child remembers all year. Click here to make a donation.
The Treehouse Advocacy Center
Nearly 1300 children have received gifts during the holiday season with the community’s support of The Giving Tree project. Purchase wish list items or make a donation for someone to purchase items on your behalf to benefit a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect. Volunteers are asked to provide 2 outfits, 1 jacket, 1 pair of shoes and at least 3 items from the child’s wish list. Call The Treehouse at (229) 236-5437 or click here to request a wish list. Deadline is December 5.
YMCA Santa Tree
The Butler-Mason YMCA has a Santa Tree in their Child Care department. Some families in their program don’t have the ability to provide Christmas gifts for their children. The Santa Tree provides the hope of receiving toys, clothes, or other items to make Christmas happen. For many kids, the gifts they receive through the Santa Tree will be the only ones they open on Christmas Day. Contact Bebe at (229) 226-6082 or via e-mail for more information.
Stockings for Seniors
Help make Christmas merry and bright for senior citizens who may not have friends or family that visit them during the holidays. HOTC will be collecting “stocking stuffers” such as blankets or throws, puzzle books, flashlights, nail clippers, chapstick, ensure, and gift cards that will be given to local senior citizens. Please bring items to the HOTC office located at 1213 East Jackson Street Monday-Friday between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Drop off deadline is Friday, December 1.
Operation “Gotcha Covered”
Our local Georgia Pines Wecovery Peer Recovery Center is making sure those in need stay warm this winter through their annual “Gotcha Covered” blanket drive. If you are able to donate a NEW blanket for someone in need, then please swing by the Thomasville Police Department lobby at 921 Smith Ave and drop it in the donation box. You can also deliver the blankets to any Georgia Pines location. The blankets will be distributed at the December Feeding the Community event at Pineland Baptist Church.
Toys for Tots
Click here for a list of local participating businesses that are designated Toys for Tots Toy Drop Sites. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
Christmas Smiles
Buy A Little, Give A Lot wants children in our community to know that they were not forgotten at Christmas. Make a donation so children can receive “Christmas Smiles for Kiddos”, which consists of 4 toys, an outfit, shoes, socks and a full stocking. Click here for more information, to make a donation or to sign a child up for A Christmas Smile.
The Salvation Army
For more information on all the Salvation Army opportunities this holiday season, contact at robyn.hickey@uss.SalvationArmy.org or 229-226-3772.
Red Kettle Campaign – Ring The Bell! Volunteer bell ringers needed now until December 23 (except on Sundays).
Angel Tree – Adopt an Angel Tree child. Call (229) 226-3772 to adopt a child for Christmas. If you are not able to “adopt” a child, you may also make donations from the wish list and drop off at The Salvation Army at 514 N. Madison Street.
Canned Food Drive – Help the Salvation Army to meet the needs in our community. Bring donations to 514 N. Madison Street.
Stuff a Stocking – Stop by The Salvation Army to adopt a senior citizen for Christmas and pick up a stocking. If you are not able to “adopt” a senior citizen , you may also simply drop off donations from the wish list.
Adopt A Family – Help make the holidays happy for a family in need by giving food, gifts, etc. The Salvation Army will match you with a family in crisis. Call (229) 226-3772 to get started.
Thomas County Food Bank
What will be on your holiday table? Thomas County Food Bank is asking for donations of canned and packaged food to provide clients the basics for a simple holiday meal. Also, if you have fruit from your trees (orange, lemon, etc.), that you would like to donate, the Food Bank would be very grateful for donations! Donations can be dropped off at 430 N. Broad Street on Monday afternoons, or Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Contact Janice at 226-4277 or e-mail for more information.
Hands On Thomas County
As we close out 2023 and the final celebrations of our 20th anniversary year, we want to remind you that your financial support has always been vital to the success of our mission. Although volunteer power is our main resource, the truth is, without the funds to coordinate, organize and implement, we cannot get the job done properly. Your donation helps us help others. When you give, you are rewarded physically, spiritually, and emotionally; and a local non-profit and its clients receive much needed hands-on help. Make a tax-deductible end of year gift here.
