With the holidays fast approaching, many community members are focusing on hosting and attending parties, buying presents and looking forward to family get-togethers. What many people don’t realize is that there are others in our community who worry constantly about how to survive from one month to the next — never mind planning for the upcoming holiday season. That’s where our local United Way comes in.
The United Way is available to assist local residents in need any way they can, and the holidays always are a time of great need. Toys for Tots is a program the United Way undertakes to assist local families in providing toys and books to children who otherwise wouldn’t have them. Last year, 2,387 children from Liberty and Long counties received toys and books, and each family received a game. This year, with economic hardship at an all-time high, the need for assistance is even greater.
Every dollar raised and every toy donated to Toys for Tots is used to provide the children of Liberty and Long counties with books and gifts. Local volunteers log hours working on the toy drive, striving to help families of our area create happy holiday memories.
In an effort to raise funds for this year’s drive, many events currently are under way. The Masonic Lodge 271 is selling spaghetti dinners for $5 on Friday, Nov. 4. Call Jim at 977-8455 to buy tickets. Liberty Propane is hosting a bike ride and auction Sunday, Nov. 13. Toys for Tots donation trains are available for purchase at many area restaurants as well as The Heritage Bank locations. Toy drop-off locations are available all over the county. Anyone interested in helping also can donate online at http://hinesville-ga.toysfortots.org.
For those in the community who need assistance, Toys for Tots applications are available at any school, the Division of Family and Children Services office at 508 N. Main St., the United Way office at 135 E. M.L. King Jr. Drive and the Coastal Courier office at 125 S. Main St.
Let’s all work together to make this a memorable holiday season for every member of our community.

Fox is the Courier's business manager and a United Way board member.