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closeWith the nation's economy reeling, Middle Georgia charities expect a surge of requests for help this holiday season.
To get ready, they're beginning sign-ups for assistance next week - more than 10 weeks before Christmas.
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Families seeking help for the holiday season must register with the Salvation Army of Central Georgia during the following times to be eligible. Families must present the following: a picture ID; Social Security cards for everyone; proof of guardianship, if possible; proof of income; children's birth certificates; ages of children; and sizes for clothes and shoes.
In Bibb County, go to the office at 2312 Houston Ave., between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday though Friday. For more information, call 746-8572.
In Houston County, go to the office at 96 Thomas Blvd., Warner Robins, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call 922-2226.
In Peach County, go to 700 Spruce St., Fort Valley, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 24.
Families in Jones, Monroe, Twiggs, Crawford and Pulaski counties should contact the local Department of Family and Children Services offices for sign-up information.
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers and donations, including clothes, food and toys. For more information, contact the numbers listed above.
Kids Yule Love/Seniors Yule Love also is seeking donations and volunteers. For more information, call 741-3032.
"Some of the people who were our donors are now our clients," said Peggy Steele, who works for the Salvation Army of Central Georgia. "We're expecting huge numbers this year. We want to appeal to the community for assistance" in both donations and volunteering.
The Salvation Army will start taking applications Monday for families seeking help for the holidays, and the organization is expecting far more demand than usual because of the dire economic times.
Steele said the organization helped more than 7,400 people for Thanksgiving and Christmas last year, and it is expecting a larger number this year.
The Salvation Army gives out food baskets for the holidays and provides new clothing for families in need. In addition, it partners with the U.S. Marine Corps to provide new Christmas toys for children, giving out more than 9,000 last year.
The Salvation Army is seeking new clothes and new toys to give away. It's also looking for volunteers for a variety of duties for the holiday season - everything from bell ringing to helping distribute toys to packaging food, Steele said.
Besides the Salvation Army, other Middle Georgia organizations are hoping for extra help during the holiday season with both donations and volunteers.
Kids Yule Love and Seniors Yule Love are among them. Founder and CEO Joe Allen said the organization relies heavily on the work of volunteers.
A drive for school supplies over the summer came up about 70 percent short of last year's total, which Allen attributed to the economic downturn. He said he fears that holidays giving could face a similar fate.
"I'm very worried," he said. "The demand is going to be a lot greater this year."
Allen also is concerned that senior citizens will get overlooked. He said he'd like to recruit families with children who would be willing to visit senior citizens in nursing homes to deliver holiday gifts.
"We want to get adults who have young children so they can see what it's all about."
Allen said his organization also needs volunteers to reply to "Dear Santa" letters that Kids Yule Love receives. Parents who want their children to write letters to Santa should tell them to include some personal information, because each response letter is personalized.
To contact writer Phillip Ramati, call 744-4334.
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