Cherokee's Holiday Hospitality 2015

A Guide to Giving Back

Cherokee Sheriff Reserve Unit
The Christmas Joy program uses donations by individuals, businesses and organizations to provide food, basic necessities and Christmas gifts to Cherokee County families in need. If your family needs assistance and your children are in the Cherokee County School System, please contact their school counsellors. For donations and other information, contact the Cherokee Sheriff Reserve Unit. 770-479-0451. CherokeeGa-Sheriff.org

Cherokee Youth Works Gift Connection
This holiday season, consider a gift of education. A program of Cherokee Focus, Gift Connection supports the education of local youth through donations that help fund their testing and college entrance fees, interview clothing, transportation, childcare and other necessities. Other gifts of encouragement that can be given through investment dollars or donated volunteer services include: haircut and style, car repair, furniture and household items. 770-345-5483. CherokeeFocus.org

Cherokee County Dept. of Family & Children Services
This project is designed to benefit Cherokee County children in foster care. The children in foster care submit a wish list to the Cherokee County Dept. of Family & Children Services (DFCS), and each list is matched with a Secret Santa sponsor. Foster parents and DFCS placement resources pick up the gifts from local offices in time for Santa to deliver them on Christmas morning! Gift sponsors and cash donations are needed to help support more than 300 children in foster care this year. 678-427-9393. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., CherokeeSanta.com

Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council
The Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) supports all of Cherokee County Senior Services programs, such as Adopt a Senior, Meals-on-Wheels, the Last Stop Fund for utility bills, meds and other emergency needs, the Food Closet and more. The VAC also provides nearly $1,000 each month to purchase nutritional supplements for those who cannot eat regular meals due to medical conditions. Any donation is greatly appreciated and can be designated to a specific program or to the area of greatest current need. All funds stay in Cherokee County and are used for the most frail and needy members of the community. Donations can be made online. VAC-CherokeeGa.org

Cherokee Family Violence Center
The mission of the Cherokee Family Violence Center is to enhance the safety of victims of intimate partner violence and their children through culturally and linguistically competent crisis intervention services, through longer term advocacy, housing and support that empowers survivors, and through systems change advocacy that holds batterers accountable and promotes a community standard of zero tolerance for violence in the home. They are a non-profit organization. As such, they depend on the support of the community to help serve the over 1,000 victims of domestic violence that they help each year. There are many donation and volunteer opportunities that allow you to support this organization and their mission. 770-479-1804. CFVC.org

MUST Ministries
For the Christmas Toy Shop program, new, unwrapped toys for children and new gifts for teens and parents are needed. The greatest needs are for pre-teens and teens; gift ideas include sports equipment, cologne/perfume, jewelry, games, belts, boots, jackets, pajamas, books and school supplies. Toy and gift donations can be dropped off 8:00 am-3:00 pm, Monday-Friday, at MUST Ministries, 111 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. For questions or more information please contact Ranettia Beasley at 770-576-0359. MUSTMinistries.org

Northside Hospital Foundation
The Northside Hospital Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to Northside Hospital and the enrichment of the communities they serve. The Foundation works with corporate, community and individual donors to financially support many medical programs throughout the hospital. Your donations directly impact the lives of each family served by Northside through state-of-the-art technology, research, clinical education, community wellness, charity care, support services and much more. Each generous gift is greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. For information or to make a donation, call 770-667-GIVE or visit Northside.com/Foundation

Operation Homefront
Holiday Toy Drive: Help Make The Season Bright! Operation Homefronts Holiday Toy Drive program aims to distribute toys and gift cards to junior enlisted military families. Visit your local Dollar Tree and donate toys to help make the holidays brighter for our military families. New toys or cash donations to purchase gifts for families are accepted. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Other ways to help include: setting up a collection bin at your office, store, church or school theyll provide the signage! You can also collect toys & gift cards at your company holiday party, help distribute toys in your area, become a Dollar Tree volunteer and help pick up donated toys from a local store, organize a matching gift program at work, or make a tax-deductible donation to Operation Homefronts Holiday Toy Drive. For more information, call 770-575-2086 or visit OperationHomefront.net

Papas Pantry
For Christmas, families can be adopted through our Papa Noel Christmas wish program. We try to match ages, boys/girls, & interests to better personalize everyones experience. Many of our families are headed by single mothers. We ask for Christmas goodies for moms, too! Pajamas, wallets and jewelry are examples of what moms most enjoy. We work closely with each family and get to know them; we believe this lessens the risk of fraud or duplication of efforts from one charitable organization to another. Donations can be made Tuesday, 4:00-7:00 pm and Friday, 3:00-5:00 pm, 6551 Commerce Parkway, Suite 200, Woodstock. 770-591-4730. PapasPantry.org

Toys for Tots
New, unwrapped toys will be accepted at various drop-off locations throughout Cherokee County, including area Publix supermarkets and the Cherokee County Fire Dept. Financial donations are also accepted. 678-887-5179. NorthAtlanta.ToysForTots.com

WellStar Health System
Give hope during the holidays to people in need and at risk for cancer. Many people are at risk to develop cancer, but do not have the money to pay for potentially life-saving screenings. Screenings can detect cancer at earlier, more curable stages. They offer screenings for many types of cancer to include breast, cervical, colon, ovarian, lung, prostate, skin and uterine. No donation is too small. Please call 770-956-GIVE or visit WellStar.org/GiveHope to make a secure donation.