With multiple events and fundraising opportunities sidelined by COVID-19, it’s been a tough year for the Ellijay Lions Club.
However, the local civic group is determined to continue a long-running Christmas outreach program for 2020.
Despite an estimated loss of $150,000 from cancellations of the county fair and Apple Festival, White Christmas will be an Ellijay Lions program the community can count on this year, confirmed club president Sam Burrell.
This holiday season, the civic group is expecting a larger than usual response to the effort that provides presents for families in need.
“We feel that, because of the economy and COVID-19, there’s going to be a larger number of families affected. We certainly want to be able to try to help those families by providing some Christmas (presents) for the children,” Burrell said.
One day to sign up
The Ellijay Lions will host a White Christmas sign-up event Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Applications can be filled out during the event at the Lions Club building located at 1729 South Main Street.
In past years, applications were also distributed throughout the school system. This year, there will be just the single sign-up event, noted White Christmas Coordinator Ruthann Harding.
“We had started sending applications through the schools, but then we were getting fewer and fewer of them back. Last year, we had more people come in on that one day and we’re trying it (like that again this year) to see if we get a better response,” she added.
“There’s not going to be a lot of changes, but we do anticipate more people this year and that’s fine. 2020 has been rough. We want to make sure as many kids as possible do get something for Christmas.”
Last year’s White Christmas effort actually saw fewer applications than usual, Harding noted.
“Last year, we had (about) 160 kids. But we normally cover around 300-400,” she added.
Each year’s White Christmas program is funded by money raised during the Lions’ Bucket Brigade collection drive. This year’s Bucket Brigade started Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14. Club members will also be out at shopping centers around the county Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21, with their yellow vests and white buckets collecting donations that will be put toward White Christmas gifts.
“We do the Bucket Brigade strictly for White Christmas, and it pays for the whole (program). We really have been blessed,” Harding said.
Lions also shop for White Christmas gifts themselves, with assistance from members of the Gilmer High School Leo Club.
“It’s fun doing the shopping. We may look like a bunch of crazy people, but it’s fun,” said Harding. “When you help shop, you get a card with either a boy or girl, their age and likes and dislikes. The Leo Club helps us out, and that has been great because they can pick quicker than we can.”
This year’s effort will provide winter coats for children, as well as toys, Harding noted.
“We used to just buy toys for the kids, but, about two years ago, we (started) asking parents if each child needs a coat. That’s our number one priority. What we have left, we spend on toys,” she said.
“We ask what they like and dislike and what they need. We try to buy what they ask for, but we do have limitations. We don’t buy electronics and big items like that.”
Application details
White Christmas applications will only be accepted from Gilmer County residents, who must provide proof of address when they apply.
Only children’s legal parent(s) or guardian(s) can sign them up for the program, and a Social Security card must also be provided for each child when applying, Harding noted. The program is for children from newborn to age 15, she added.
Along with Toys for Tots and the Gilmer Family Connection Christmas Campaign, White Christmas is one of three local holiday outreach programs that uses the Charity Tracker software program to ensure families who apply are not enrolled in similar programs.
Distribution of White Christmas items will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Lions Club building, Harding noted.