Ellijay’s Ira Cochran American Legion Post 82 will continue an annual holiday program that provides presents for local children, although it will be presented in a different format this year.
The local Legion post’s auxiliary group usually holds a public Christmas party for children newborn-age 12 and any local families are invited.
The party will not be held this year, but toy distribution will be done in a drive-thru setup, confirmed auxiliary member Suzan Harrison. That will take place at Post 82, 297 Legion Road, Saturday, Dec. 19, from 1-4 p.m.
Registration forms need to be filled out by any families who will be attending the drive-thru event. Forms can be picked up at Post 82 Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4-9 p.m., and Saturday, from noon-7 p.m. The form is also available on the “American Legion Post 82 Ellijay” Facebook page, Harrison noted.
Completed forms should be returned to Post 82 either in person or left in a mailbox outside the building no later than Dec. 12. No other advance paperwork is required, Harrison noted.
“They need to make sure it’s in a sealed envelope if they leave it in the mailbox,” she added.
Gilmer County children who’ve been signed up will receive one gift. All registered names received by Dec. 12 will also be entered into a bicycle drawing, Harrison said. Bikes will be given to one boy and one girl in multiple age groups, she added.
The drive-thru event will be socially distanced, and attendees will not need to leave their cars for toy pickup, Harrison confirmed.
“We will direct them on how to drive through, and there will be a slide that shoots the presents down (into their cars),” she added.
Many of the toys that have been given out during past Legion Christmas parties have been raised via a motorcycle run led by the local American Legion Riders cycle group. The toy drive will also be done differently this year, Harrison noted.
Instead, Post 82 will have a chili meal, which is open to the public, this Saturday beginning at noon.
Anyone who brings and donates a new toy that costs no less than $10 will get a bowl of chili with fixings in return, Harrison said.
Ellijay Hope Lutheran Church also conducts a toy drive for the Christmas program each year, she added.
“We have members who belong there, and they are absolutely phenomenal with the toys they bring in,” Harrison said.
For more details about the drive-thru Christmas event, contact the Ellijay American Legion at 706-276-4878 or Suzan Harrison at 770-891-1800.