Community toy drive for Coffee County begins Nov. 18

Citizens in Douglas and Coffee County are invited to start a season of giving by participating in the Coffee County Community Toy Drive. The City of Douglas, along with many local community agencies, is hosting a Community Toy Drive for boys and girls ages 12 and under. The Toy Drive will begin during the Community Holiday Spectacular, which will be held on Saturday, November 18, beginning at 5 p.m.

“We have approximately 500 youth in our community who are on toy lists with local agencies,” says Mayor Tony Paulk. “We need our community to support this Community Toy Drive. Local citizens and businesses are encouraged to donate a toy or make monetary donations.”

Attendees of the Community Holiday Spectacular at the Martin Centre are encouraged to give a $10 donation or a new $10 unwrapped child’s toy. Local businesses and community agencies will also have large, wrapped boxes at their entrances for people to donate an unwrapped toy for boys and girls. Law Enforcement Agencies will set up on several dates beginning Nov. 18 through Dec. 14 at area businesses for toy collection. Douglas Police and Douglas Fire Department will collect toys on Saturday, November 25 at Walmart from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Georgia State Patrol will set up on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Walmart to accept toy donations and also provide car seat checks for citizens. On December 4, 2017, CSRA Probation Services will be accepting donations at the Dollar General in Broxton from noon – 4 p.m.

Persons who are aware of a family or child that is in need of assistance should contact the Douglas Police Department at 912-384-2222 or Douglas Fire Department at 912-384-4815 for an application. Applications must be completed and returned to CSRA Probation Services located at 912 N. Madison Avenue, Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., prior to December 6, 2017. Applications without complete information will not be accepted. Toys collected will be distributed on December 16, 2017, from 9 a.m.- noon at Central Square Complex. Qualifying families will be contacted to participate on toy distribution day at Central Square Complex. To make a monetary donation for the Community Toy Drive, checks should be made payable to: City of Douglas, Memo: Community Toy Drive, 211 S. Gaskin Avenue, Douglas, GA 31533. All monetary donations collected will be used to purchase gifts for the children.

Special thanks to Southwire, Georgia State Patrol, CSRA Probation Services, Douglas Police Department, Douglas Fire Department, City of Douglas and other community agencies for their contribution to this community event.