Lead by partners of Barrow County Family Connection/Communities in Schools, Holiday Connection coordinates the efforts of many different agencies, civic organizations, church groups and charitable causes to implement a county-wide clearinghouse for holiday assistance.

Last year, Holiday Connection assisted approximately 2,200 children and, with the economy still suffering, the request for assistance is even greater this year. Donations, however, are off.

"We are hopeful as families are out doing their holiday shopping, they will shop for an extra toy to be donated to Holiday Connection," said Michelle Walker, who is coordinating the Holiday Connection effort again this year.

Beans, Bears & Band-Aides, which served as the kickoff for the Holiday Connection season, netted an SUV full of toys for the Holiday Connection store which will be open Dec. 15-17. Elves will assist families selected for Holiday Connection.

Arms of Grace Lutheran Church is hosting the Holiday Connection store this year.

The Peoples Bank has been gracious enough to waive the fees for the Visa gift cards which are obtained for the shoppers to translate the monetary donations into toys and other gifts for the Holiday Connection store, said Walker.

Toy collection locations are still being recruited with collection boxes already out at Walmart, Fred’s in Winder, Dollar General in Bethlehem, the Auburn Police Department, Winder Fire Department, the Barrow County News, Belk at Barrow Crossing and Joey Watkins Tire & Automotive at 723 Highway 211 NW.

Angels are being sold for $1 at several locations including Community Bank & Trust, Stevi B’s, Belk and Walmart. The angels are paper cutouts with the first name and age of a child participating in Holiday Connection. Other sites for angel sales will also be announced.

Verizon Wireless in Winder and Jefferson offers a $10 off accessories or 10 percent on a phone purchase to customers bringing in a new unwrapped toy for Holiday Connection.

When Barrow County Schools reopen on Monday after the Thanksgiving week break, Walker said boxes for Holiday Connection will be filling up at those school locations.

Barrow County Schools had a luncheon at the Professional Development Center the week before the holiday break and raised almost $700 for Holiday Connection. Participants paid $10 to enjoy the meal or they paid $5 and brought an unwrapped toy donation.

In addition to donations of toys, gift cards and monetary donations which will be used to buy items for the Holiday Connection store, volunteers are still needed. There are phone calls to be made and donations to be sought, picked up and delivered to the Holiday Connection store.

Chico’s FAS has graciously supplied volunteers to act as elves for the Holiday Connection store and 10 Chico’s elves will be working daily at the Christmas store.

Call the Holiday Connection hotline at (770) 868-4258 to volunteer or to request a pickup of a sizable donation of toys.

Monetary donations are accepted as well as donations of new toys for ages 0-18. Please make checks payable to Barrow County Family Connection/CIS and send to P.O. Box 278, Winder, GA 30680. All donations are tax deductible.

Local Secret Santas provide Christmas to many families through Holiday Connection including one local organization which sponsors 30 families. Individuals can adopt a family’s Christmas by contacting Holiday Connection.

Contact the Holiday Connection hotline for more information on how you can support this year’s Holiday Connection efforts.