SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – For many, the holidays are a season of giving, often extending beyond friends and family to help those in need.
In accordance with Statista, in 2021, about 14 percent of Georgia’s population lived below the poverty line. This applies to individuals or families whose collective income in the last 12 months was below the national poverty level in the United States.
Since poverty is a serious problem for some with children, especially during the holiday season, there are some charitable programs that help families, including their pets, who cannot afford to buy gifts for their loved ones
Here is a list of organizations participating in community gift giving this Christmas season.
The YMCA’s mission is to strengthen the community. This includes helping families who are struggling to afford Christmas presents Giving Tree program.
“December 19thousand 8-4 is the date of the Giving Tree collection, all participants must bring ID. All applications must be submitted by December 17thousand,” said Habersham YMCA front desk captain Davonte Johnson.
A charity run by a religious rescue mission; part of their services is to provide assistance during holidays. Resources can range from gift cards to furniture, home goods, food baskets, toys, and even furniture for the whole family.
For a schedule of their Christmas toys and how to apply, call (912) 232-1979.
It is a veteran-owned and operated non-profit organization that continues to be Bryan County’s only local company to distribute toys to families (Sea toys for toddlers).
“This is our fourth year serving our community for the holidays and it means so much to us to give back to the community we live in,” said Executive Director Lynette M. Smith.
To give away the toys, Combat Boots to the Boardroom will host an event at 1000 Belfast River Road in Richmond Hill from 1 to 4 p.m.
“They have to sign up through our website so we can get toys from Toys 4 Tots and we will give them away at the event on December 17,” Smith said.
Bluffton Self Help, organized in 1987 to help the area’s working families and seniors, aims to relieve stress during the holidays by offering holiday food and free groceries in November and December. To help bring gifts and happiness under the tree, they also have a holiday toy shop.
Apply in person no later than Friday, December 2nd at 39 Sheridan Park Circle Bluffton, SC.
Wilmington Chatham Island Emergency Services
Chatham Volunteer Emergency Services will be escorting Santa Claus around Chatham County this holiday season. Wilmington Island Santa will be handing out pet toys to children to give to their pets for Christmas on December 10th and 11th starting at 12:00 p.m. For route information, click here.
WSAV will continue to update this list