Maya Angelou said,

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

It’s easy to immerse yourself in the Christmas season by thoughtfully making gift decisions for your loved ones, by making travel plans to be close to your family and by planning that big meal around which hopes, dreams and lives can be enriched.

Have you thought about the feeling that would come from helping those who are unable to provide for their children this Christmas? Take a moment to consider the rewards from lifting up those little ones who haven’t done anything other than being part of a struggling family.

That’s what an anonymous donor did (and has done for years) for the Toys for Tots program in Jasper. Not only did they donate office space but a sum of money to get the program kicked off for the year.

Also “donating” is the Marine Corps Reserve who’s Mountainside Detachment volunteer for the effort as well as volunteers from within the community.

Sometimes it’s easy to write-off the bigger national charities as so many have fallen victim to mismanagement but in the case of the local Toys for Tots that is not the case. And EVERY donation made in Pickens County stays in Pickens County, says program director Richard Wilson.

Donations are tax deductible and may be made at the various drop-off locations throughout the county. There are bins for toys and/or cash donation jars in many retail establishments. They ask that any toy donations be unwrapped and new. Those donations will be divided amongst age/sex lines with each child receiving three toys each. The ages collected for are from newborn to 12.

Ample opportunities for making donations will be available at the Jasper Christmas celebration this Saturday as donation boxes and money jars will line the parade route. Toys for Tots will also have a spot in the parade to remind observers of their efforts.

In addition, donations may be made online at Toys For Tots where you can also learn more about the program. Should one decide to make an online donation, a decision can be made for a general donation (of which the local chapter will get a portion) or you can opt to donate specifically to Pickens County.

Wilson figured around 2000 toys will be distributed locally. Monetary donations will be used to fill slots that are falling short of goals. For example, if there are fewer toys in a specific age/sex group they will purchase more in that area than they would for an area that is meeting donation goals.

Don’t forget the second part of Angelou’s quote either, to accept gratefully. Wilson said he knows people who are struggling sometimes don’t apply for various reasons but he wants people to stop by the Jasper Police Department, the Pickens Sheriff’s Office or the Toys for Tots office on Whitfield Drive in Jasper (beside Bargain Barn and Alfa Insurance) to apply for assistance.

“I encourage any family that needs help to come in. Don’t let pride deter you,”

he said.

Donations may be made through December 20.