CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Habersham Kiwanis Club has worked to ensure children in need have gifts under the tree through its annual “Toys for Kids” campaign — an effort volunteers say is expanding in reach and deepening in impact as more families seek help.
Kiwanis Secretary Kiara Mealor said the initiative began with the former Cornelia Kiwanis Club and continued after it merged with Clarkesville.
“So Toys for Kids has been the Cornelia — now the Habersham — Kiwanis initiative for, I think it’s been 34 years,” she said. “Children in the school system are identified by social workers and counselors and invited to apply… Typically they know which children are in need.”
The club raises funds year-round to purchase toys, books and clothing for children from birth through age 12. This year, organizers expanded the campaign by adding new donation sites throughout the county.
Boxes are now located at Now Habersham, Fieldale Farms, Farmhouse Pound Cakes in downtown Cornelia, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Connextion Church, BSG Coffee, The Hub Health and Wellness Community in downtown Cornelia, and My Georgia Credit Union. Monetary donations may also be mailed or coordinated directly with Kiwanis members.
The three-day event is held during the second week of December — this year on Dec. 8–
10. Volunteers shop on the first day, set up distribution areas at First Baptist Church of Cornelia on the second, and begin assisting families at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Parents are matched with volunteers who guide them through stations to select gifts tailored to their children. Volunteers for Literacy provides books, while Family Connection donates coats and other essentials.
Mealor said the experience offers both perspective and emotion for volunteers.
“I grew up with a single mom, and she did all kinds of things to make sure I had Christmas,” she said. “The first year I did this, I sobbed all the way back to work. It was just so beautiful. Kids just don’t have anyone to really make them feel special anymore. So that’s our mission.”
Kiwanis member Wolf said the program reflects the heart of the organization.
“We change the world one child at a time,” he said. “You never know what one small act will do for the one child that really will change the world… These kids need to understand the community is there for them.”
Both Mealor and Wolf say sustaining the mission depends on renewed community
involvement — including growing club membership which they encourage anyone who is interested in Kiwanis to get involved.”
“They can reach out to Frank or me,” Mealor said. “We meet Wednesdays at 12 at Common Ground in Cornelia. Anyone is welcome as a guest… Without members, we can’t make the mission happen.”
Mealor can be reached at [email protected] or by text at 706-244-4964. Wolf can be contacted at 801-493-5063.
Organizers hope the expanded campaign will allow them to serve even more children across Habersham County while continuing a tradition that has brought families comfort and connection for more than three decades.
