Blessings for Christmas in July
The Christmas Elves were elated over the multiples of donations given to the Christmas in July efforts this year, which celebrated the ninth time that the community has come together to provide for those less fortunate. So much generosity was evidenced as churches, businesses, organizations and individuals brought item after item into Calhoun First United Methodist Church’s Christian Life Center for the set- up on Friday, July 21.
Many “elves” - 246 volunteers in all during the week - busied themselves sorting and bagging these donations to have them ready for the invited families who were to attend Christmas in July on Saturday, July 22. These families were preselected by the Family Advocates from our City and County School Systems and some other community agencies.
One hundred and seven families, which included 174 adults and 269 children, received an extra boost as they prepare for the upcoming school year. The families received used clothing, book bags with school supplies, bedding, new towels/ washcloths, children and adult’s books, new shoes, first aid kits, a bag of dental supplies, toiletry items, new socks, new underwear, a bucket of cleaning supplies and food. Cup of Life Worship Center provided hotdogs for anyone who wanted them. They provided praise music to enjoy as they ate.
Santa, played by William Earley, traveled many miles to be with the Christmas Elves. The children both young and old loved it!
The Christmas Elves held a Quarter Sale for the clothing items that were leftover the following Monday. $ 800 was raised to be divided among these food banks: VAC, Blewer, St. Vincent de Paul of St. Clement’s Catholic Church and the Calhoun Seventh Day Adventist Church. That means that more than 3000 pieces of clothing were sold on Monday, July 24. A $ 200 check will be given to each of these food banks.
After that, the Gordon County Sheriff’s Department kindly took four pick- up truck- loads of clothing left from the Quarter Sale to the Voluntary Action Center for their Thrift Store.
The City Schools were given 43 book bags with supplies to be given to those students who need them. The County Schools were given 62 book bags with supplies to be distributed.
Both school systems were given a box of deodorant and feminine products to be given to the middle schools.
The Christmas Elves would like to thank our many supporters: God Local Churches: Barrett Road Church of God, Belmont Baptist Church, Blackwood Springs Baptist Church, Calhoun Community Church, Calhoun First Baptist Church, Calhoun First Presbyterian Church, Calhoun First United Methodist Church, Calhoun Seventh Day Adventist Church, College Street Church of God, Crane Eater Community Church, Cup of Life Worship Center, Echota Baptist ladies WOM, Hill City Baptist UMW, Meadowdale Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church at Curryville, Nellie Peters United Methodist Church, New Echota United Methodist Church, Oostanaula Baptist Church, Plainville Independent Methodist Church, Plainville United Methodist Church, Reeves Baptist Church, Rockbridge Community Church, Salem Baptist’s WOM, Sisters in Study Community Bible Study, St. Clement’s Catholic Church, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Trinity Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, West Union Baptist Church, World Harvest…………and many youth groups and Sunday School classes from these churches.
Businesses/ Organizations: Anthony and Company, Beta Tau of Delta Kappa Gamma, Brown Barber Shop, CVS, Calhoun Gordon County Retired Educators Association, Calhoun Premium Outlets, Camryn McClaine Salon, Christopher and Banks, DiPrima’s, Dr. Ku, Echota Fabrics, Food Lion, Friends of the Library, Fringe Salon, Gabriel Hill Salon, Gordon County Ministerial Association, Hairport, Hillhouse Garden Club, Home Depot, J. Harris Salon, Vickie and Paul Jastram, Kappa Kappa Iota, Kiwanis Club, K- Mart, Knights of Columbus from St. Clement’s Catholic Church, Kroger, Lane Bryant, Little Caesars, Maurice’s, Mohawk Home, North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation’s Operation Round-Up, Old Navy, Parkway Barber Shop, Parkview Barber Shop, Pizza Hut, Run Fit Sports of McDonough, Georgia, Salon 924, Shaggy Chic Salon, Shaw (plants D3, D4, D5, D7, DY and WF), Smart Style, Sub Delights, St. Vincent de Paul of St. Clement’s Catholic Church, Sunglass Hut, Taxi Express (Moses and Tony), Taxi The Good Friend ( Pattie), The Ivy Cottage Salon, Tommy Hilfiger, Tractor Supply, Tundra’s Hair Studio, Mary Jane and Pete Valentino, Walmart ( Calhoun and Cartersville).
Community Resource Agencies: Amerigroup, Calhoun City Schools, CareSource, Family Connections, Council for Alcohol and Drug Prevention, Girl Scouts – Andrea LaPolt, Gordon County 4- H Program, Gordon County School System, Gordon County Sheriff’s Department, Kool Smiles, Right From the Start Medicaid, Young Leaders Society United Way of Gordon County.
“Thank you” is not adequate for everyone who helped. May you all be blessed for what you have done for our friends and neighbors in the City of Calhoun and in Gordon County. We appreciate Calhoun First United Methodist Church for hosting the event this year. May all of our students have a successful school year!