With Thanksgiving Day kicking off the 2016 holiday season, food, warmth and happiness will be on the minds and in the hearts of many around the world.
However, not everyone can spend the holidays with someone they love, nor do they have the luxury to exchange presents as so many friends and families do.
Forsyth County offers donation centers and programs to help with gift-giving, meal-giving and joy-spreading.
Holiday Gift Angels
“The Holiday Gift Angels Program is a joy for Forsyth County Senior Services to host every year,” Senior Services Director Ruthie Brew said.
“A gift from a stranger — however big or small — shows our seniors that they are thought of during the holiday season.”
What: The county’s senior services division invites those who can to be a holiday angel to a local senior citizen in need. “Angels” can pick up a gift request tag at any of the three FCSS locations and each gift request tag lists the name of a local senior citizen along with a gift idea for him or her. Once bought, bring the unwrapped gift — in a gift bag with the gift request tag attached — to any of the three FCSS Services locations on weekdays by November 28.
Where: Center at Charles Place, 595 Dahlonega Street
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, 2115 Chloe Road
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: Hearthstone Lodge Community Center, 7305 Lanier Drive
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Contact: Call the center at (770) 781-2178 or visit forsythco.com/seniors to receive additional information about the 2016 Holiday Gift Angels Program.
Fire department holding 14th annual toy drive
“Last year we were delighted to have collected enough toys, gift cards and monetary donations to provide for 1,800 Forsyth County children.
This year, with the help of our generous community, we hope to surpass that,” Fire Chief Danny Bowman said. “The Fire Department personnel who assist with the toy collection each year are undoubtedly grateful to witness the many individuals, children and families as they drop off gifts at our stations.”
What: Now through Dec. 15, new, unwrapped toys for children — newborn to 18 years old — can be dropped off at any Forsyth County fire station, the department’s headquarters or any of the county’s four library branches. Dec.1 through Dec. 15, toys for Aerial’s House can also be dropped off under the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Forsyth County administration building.
Where:
• Fire Department Headquarters, 3520 Settingdown Road; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Forsyth County Public Library, various branches have different hours, open on weekends
• Forsyth County administration building, 110 East Main Street; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Contact: Call Firefighter Jeff Lyons at (678) 513-5899 or The Place of Forsyth County at (770) 887-1098.
Home-Delivered Meals
“The Meals on Wheels program does not only provide a warm and healthy meal. A meal delivery offers seniors valuable social interaction and a safety check,” Brew said. “Forsyth County Senior Services is proud of the support this program receives — not only during the holidays, but year-round. These meal deliveries truly make a difference for a senior in need.”
What: FCSS and Meals on Wheels are teaming up yet again for the 2016 Home-Delivered Meals Holiday Gift Certificate Program, which benefits home-bound seniors. Gift certificate givers may choose to provide meals for a day, week, month or year.
Cost: $3.68 for one day, $18.40 for one week, $80.96 for one month and $956.80 for the entire year. Gifts may be tax-deductible.
Where: Checks should be made payable to Forsyth County Senior Services, Holiday Gift Certificate Program and can be mailed or delivered to the following address:
• Forsyth County Senior Services
7305 Lanier Drive
Cumming, GA 30041
Contact: Call FCSS at (770) 781-2178 or visit forsythco.com/seniors for more information about the program.