GFC’s Christmas Campaign currently underway
A first-time clothing drive will help the local Family Connection chapter provide more for Gilmer families helped by its Christmas Campaign.
The first Socktober drive, which was held throughout October, collected new socks, hats and gloves for children, teens and adults, said Alicia Edwards Porter, the drive’s coordinator.
“Since this was the first time we’d done it, we didn’t know what to expect, but we’re still picking up socks (from donors). We’re at around 700 pairs of socks (donated),” said Porter.
The clothing donations were obtained in Gilmer and Fannin County with drop-off boxes at 13 businesses, mostly real estate and insurance agencies, in the two counties. Porter said the drive was quite successful for its first outing, and she hopes to make Socktober an annual outreach effort.
She chose Family Connection as the recipient because its mission is to help families with children. The Christmas Campaign also provides presents for local children each year.
“We want to bring awareness to Family Connection and the people who give back in serving their community,” said Porter. “They’re going to disperse these hats, socks and gloves to families at Christmastime, and they usually have to take money out of the budget to fulfill that need.”
Tiffany Watson, Gilmer Family Connection director, said the Christmas Campaign helped 329 children from 100 local families last year. She expects to receive more applications for assistance this year.
“I feel like this year will be really busy. With inflation being what it is, everybody’s struggling,” Watson said. Gilmer Family Connection started taking applications for Christmas Campaign assistance Nov. 15 and will accept applications until Dec. 15 at the Larry Walker Education Center (former Gilmer Middle School), where the local Family Connection office is located.
“The applications can be found outside the double doors in the front of the Larry Walker Center where Mountain Education is, and we have them in English and Spanish,” Watson said. “There is also a drop-off (box) there, so people can come whenever they want.”
Watson said Socktober will provide a push that the program needs this time of year. She’s already received some of the donations and will continue to do so in the coming weeks before Christmas.
“They had a really great response,” she added. “We ask on the application if there is any clothing the (children) need or want and also a few items they want for Christmas. I try to give them clothing and always like to make sure the kids get socks, hats, glove and different things like that.”
Gilmer Family Connection, which is a nonprofit, receives limited grant funding, but most of its support for programs like the Christmas Campaign comes from the local community, Watson noted.
“People in the community can adopt a child or family and shop for them. (Both) individuals and businesses can shop for families and kids. There are also different points in the community where (toys or clothing) can be dropped off,” she added.
Porter, who’s a real estate agent with Engel & Völkers North Georgia Mountains Reality in Blue Ridge, said Gilmer County has always been good to her, even though she lives elsewhere.
“I just want to give back and be good to those who’ve been good to me,” she
added.