Sand Mountain Reporter

The holiday shopping season kicked off Friday and Christmas Coalition organizers hope the spirit of giving moved volunteers to sponsor a child.

More than 600 children are still awaiting sponsorship by civic and church groups, businesses or individuals.

Time is winding down for those sponsors to step up and help, said Jennifer Palmer, president of the Albertville Chamber of Commerce and media relations for the Christmas Coalition.

“People may choose to sponsor a child or a sibling group. They may make cash donations through our secure Web site. Or, if sponsoring a child is not in their budget, they may choose to donate a toy or two,” Palmer said.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys may be made at fire departments in Albertville, Boaz, Guntersville and Arab through mid-December.

The toys will be given to parents eligible for a late distribution date to be announced in December. Monetary donations will be given to volunteer shoppers who will purchase gifts for eligible families and children not sponsored by outside groups.

“At this point, anything helps. We will be able to pull it all together. The need is really great this year,” she said.

Palmer said sign-ups increased significantly this year due to the economic downturn. On average, Coalition volunteers sponsor 2,500 children.

Since registration took place in September, many additional families may need assistance due to changes in family circumstances.

“Lots of people have fallen on hard times since sign-ups,” Palmer said. “We just need people to help as they are able to.”

For more information, log onto the Coalition’s Web site at www.christmascoalition.org or call them at 582-9998.

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

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