Striving to bring hope and joy to children in west Georgia, Southwire’s Project GIFT recently held its annual toy drive, benefiting Carroll County Toys for Tots. Thanks to the generous contributions of Southwire employees, partners, volunteers and local residents in west Georgia, more than 6,529 toys were collected through this event.

 

Toys for Tots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity created in 1947. It was designed to bring joy to the holidays, through the gift of a new toy and by sending the message of hope to America’s less fortunate children. Project GIFT has partnered with Toys for Tots each year for nearly two decades.

 

“Many of the families that receive assistance through Toys for Tots are in a desperate situation where parents feel they must choose between providing their children with essential needs like winter clothes, food and shelter, or giving them something to open on Christmas morning,” said Kristian Whittington, manager of Giving Back. “Though it may seem small to some, no parent wants their child to go without, especially at Christmas. This incredible partnership allows us to do our part in ensuring that doesn't happen to the children in our community.”

To support the health and safety of volunteers and community members, the collection operated in a drive-thru format. Community attendees drove through a service line, popped their trunks and allowed Project GIFT volunteers to unload toys directly into donation boxes.

Project GIFT’s annual toy drive was made possible thanks to the generosity of many community partners including Servpro, Hightower Family Funeral Homes, Heart Wood Products, Tisinger Vance, P.C., Associated Credit Union, Aubrey Silvey Enterprises, Gradick Communications and the University of West Georgia, who donated more than 200 toys to Toys for Tots. 

Because of these partners, along with community members who donated, Southwire is providing toys for more than 4,000 children in Carroll County this holiday season.

“"We are so thankful for the partnership that we have with Carroll County Toys for Tots,” said Wil Rainey, Project GIFT coordinator. “It's incredible to see the response from Southwire team members, facilities and the west Georgia community each year, as they help us ensure that no child in Carroll County goes without a gift to open during the holidays."

For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/newsroom. To learn more about Southwire’s commitment to Giving Back, visit www.southwire.com/sustainability.