With the holidays just around the corner, several local agencies, businesses and non-profits are collecting donations to give back to communities throughout North Georgia. 

Many organizations officially kicked off their collections or volunteer searches in early November, continuing through December.  A list of collections and initiatives to contribute to by county are below: 

Hall County:

Throughout Hall County, agencies and non-profits will provide opportunities to give back to the community, including all age groups.  

• Secret Santa For Seniors

Through Nov. 15, the City of Gainesville is encouraging residents to participate in “Secret Santa for Seniors” by donating new blankets and warm socks to elderly members of the community. The initiative is a collaboration between the Gainesville-Hall Community Council On Aging and the Gainesville-Hall County Meals on Wheels. Throughout the year, the organizations provide roughly 550 daily meals to senior citizens in the area, Monday through Friday. 

Drop-off points are scattered throughout the city, including: 

• Memorial Park Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, located at 2030 Memorial Park Drive 
• Gainesville Police Department, located at 701 Queen City Parkway

  

• Gainesville-Hall County Community Service Center, located at 430 Prior St. SE
• Gainesville-Hall County Senior Life Center, located at 434 Prior St. SE
•  Syfan Logistics and Syfan Transport, located at 2037 Old Candler Road
• High Definition Studio & Barbershop, located at 675 E. E. Butler Pkwy 

Additionally, the city of Flowery Branch will collect donations for this campaign. Donations can be dropped off at 5410 Pine St., Flowery Branch. 

• Hall is Home for Kids  Christmas 2024 Project

Flowery Branch-based non-profit Refined by Fire Ministries, Inc.’s Hall is Home for Kids initiative has begun collecting for its 6th annual Christmas Project. This program allows community members to sponsor the Christmas lists of foster children and children recently reunited with their families based in the area. The organization provides options to fulfill the list for babies and children up to 12 years old by providing four items and a gift card of $150 for youth ages 13- 21.

Hall is Home will also hold its third annual Festival of Trees celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Gainesville Civic Center. This event allows organizations and individuals to sponsor a Christmas tree by committing $350 to the project. Sponsors are then tasked with decorating trees provided by Hall is Home, which will be given to recently reunited families at the end of the event. The deadline to become a sponsor is Nov. 20. 

To contribute to the project, click here. 

Lumpkin County: 

The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office will host two initiatives throughout the holiday season:

• Bicycle Drive 

This initiative encourages residents to give back to children in the community by specifically donating new or gently used bicycles of all sizes and styles. This drive serves nearly 140 children each year. All bikes can be brought to the department located at 385 E Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533. 

• Shop with a Cop 

Each year, LCSO collaborates with Walmart and Lumpkin County Family Connections to provide 50 children in the community with $200 Walmart gift cards for Christmas. Family Connections identifies children in need, and LCSO pairs them with an officer to take them shopping for them and their families. This initiative does not ask the community to donate. 

Fannin County: 

• Feed Fannin Volunteer Opportunities

Feed Fannin is a volunteer-based organization that works to fight food insecurity in the area. The group is based on Ada Street Farm in Blue Ridge, where they grow nearly 10,000 pounds of produce for the Fannin County food bank each year. While they appreciate monetary donations for their initiatives, the group also looks to find more volunteers to help in its community garden year-round. To learn how to volunteer, click here.  

Forsyth County: 

• Forsyth County Fire Department Toy Collection

The Forsyth County Fire Department’s 22nd Annual Aerial’s House Toy Collection will take donations through Dec. 7. This initiative asks community members to donate new, unwrapped toys, gift cards for retailers and new or gently used coats for adults and children.  Donations can be dropped off at Forsyth County Fire Station, the Fire Department Headquarters at 3520 Settingdown Road or any of the Forsyth County Public Libraries.

Other opportunities:

• Register to Ring with the Salvation Army 

The Salvation Army seeks volunteers to raise money for its Red Kettle Campaign. This initiative aims to raise money to feed those in need during the holiday season. Those interested can register as individuals or as a group taking shifts. However, the non-profit also provides the option to raise money virtually by asking friends and family to donate to the organization. The Salvation Army has Corps and service locations throughout northeast Georgia, including in Athens, Gainesville and Toccoa. To volunteer in your area, click here. 

• Volunteer with the Georgia Mountain Food Bank 

The Georgia Mountain Food Bank serves Dawson, Forsyth, Lumpkin, Hall and Union Counties. The food bank seeks donations of food, time or funds year-round. Volunteer opportunities include checking for expired products in its storage, packing up distribution boxes and more. GMFB currently has 70 open slots for its ‘A Team’ volunteer group, with registration open through Nov. 30. Those interested in giving their time can register here. 

Individuals can also donate food by contributing to a community food drive.  The food bank’s most needed items include: 

•  Low-sodium or water-packed canned vegetables
• Canned fruits in 100% juice 
• Dried Fruits and Vegetables
• Low-sodium or water-packed canned meats and seafood
• Dried beans, peas and lentils
• Whole wheat pasta, barley, brown rice and wild rice