Military families sacrifice for the country and you can help brighten their Christmas

Many military families will be separated this holiday season and Macon business leaders are helping them have a brighter Christmas.

The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its 2017 Christmas Assistance program for service members in need.

The Family-2-Family Foundation will help military members who struggle financially or are enduring hardships due to illness, deployments, combat injuries or being single parents.

Donors are invited to sponsor children or donate gift cards, toys and clothes through 2 p.m. on Dec. 15.

Those willing to help should bring donations to the chamber of commerce building near the Macon Coliseum off Interstate 16 and Coliseum Drive.

For more information or to arrange a pickup of your donations, call retired Lt. Col. Gwendolyn Badie at 478-808-9858.

Over the past 11 years, the program has helped 2,200 families and more than 5,800 kids.

Members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will fill out applications for eligibility that will be approved through their chain of command.

This year the project also will benefit military members of the Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center.

This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 6:48 AM with the headline "Military families sacrifice for the country and you can help brighten their Christmas."