As Chris Gregory recalls, Regina White began the Trousdale County Christmas for Kids program in the early 1980s. She ran the program for several years and passed the baton to others.
鈥淚 began working with Trousdale County Christmas for Kids in 2015,鈥 said Gregory. 鈥淎t that time, I was the editor of the Hartsville Vidette and a member of the Rotary Club. I pitched the idea of running the effort to the Rotary Club and the Hartsville Backpack Program joined us.鈥
Gregory, Janie Oldham and Wayne Andrews serve on the board of Trousdale County Christmas for Kids.
Fundraising efforts and community support have helped to provide toys and clothing to underprivileged children for over 40 years. For many years, Beverly Sullins was the key organizer of the toy drive for the program. The toy drive was named the Beverly Sullins Memorial Toy Drive in 2023. First responders will accept toy donations on Saturday, Dec. 14 in the Hartsville Foodland parking lot after the parade. Foodland is located at 106 McMurry Blvd.
As the number of children in the community has increased, so has the cost to fund the program. To be prepared for the number of families needing assistance, participants were asked to complete an application and have it submitted by a Nov. 8 deadline. Approximately 200 families will be assisted this year.
The organization also accepts monetary donations.
鈥淣o donation is too small to bless others,鈥 said Gregory.
Donations can be mailed to Christmas for Kids, c/o Hartsville Rotary Club, P.O. Box 434, Hartsville, TN 37074. Donations can also be deposited directly in the Christmas for Kids account at First National Bank located at 100 McMurry Blvd.
Volunteers will sort clothing and toys for distribution on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The families that applied will be contacted next week. Gifts will be distributed from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 23 at the Trousdale County High School Auditorium.
Any questions can be directed to Chris Gregory at 615-450-5756.
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