Citizens in Douglas and Coffee County helped spread joy to children in the community by raising over an estimated of $8,000 and donating hundreds of toys for the Community Toy Drive. The City of Douglas, along with many local community agencies, hosted Community Toy Drives for boys and girls, ages 0–12 years, during the months of November and December. The Community Holiday Spectacular, an annual event that Mayor Tony Paulk envisioned in 2016, kicks off the toy drive and brings the community together during the holidays.
“Local citizens and businesses really came through and helped to make sure this Christmas was special for these kids and their families,” says Mayor Tony Paulk. “We hope to see more participation next year since we are planning to begin the Toy Drive earlier in the fall of 2018.”
Beginning Nov. 18 through Dec. 6, 2017, local community agencies held various toy drives. All monetary donations collected were used to purchase gifts for the children of qualifying families. Together with the donation of toys and monetary donations, the Community Toy Drive provided toys for approximately 465 children in our community. Toys collected at the toy drives were distributed on Dec. 16 from 9 a.m.- noon at Central Square Complex. Monetary donations were used to purchase gifts for the children.
Due to the combined efforts of several toy drives in the community, Southwire’s Project Gift raised an estimated $2,000.00 in toys; the Community Holiday Spectacular organized by Commissioner Kentaiwon Durham raised $1,130.00; Douglas Police Department, Douglas Fire Department, and Georgia State Patrol toy drives raised approximately $3,100.00. Additional thanks to our monetary sponsors: Thompson Machine, Anvil Trailer, Perpetual Praise & Worship Ministries, Georgia Millwright, Thomas Pump & Machinery, Don’s Body Barn, Walmart Distribution, Walmart Logistics, Jerry’s Sport Shop, Prince Auto, Charles Lewis Construction, Blondale Thomas, Cynergy Cargo, ESG Operations, Asa Whitfield, Douglas Lions Club, Malphus Electric, Southwire, CSRA Probation Services, Broxton Police Department, Broxton Dollar General, Walmart Store, William Minkema/The Martin Centre, Pastor Dawn Jones/Beth’el Worship Center, CHS HOSA volunteers, CHS NJROTC volunteers, and the entire Douglas community for contributions to this successful event.
