In spite of winter weather conditions, Southwire’s Annual Toy Drive in west Georgia concluded with more than 5,000 toys collected for local children to enjoy this holiday season.
Beginning on Thursday, December 7, Project GIFT Blackshirts hosted a toy collection at the Walmart Supercenter in Carrollton, Ga. As temperatures dropped and snow began to fall, weather conditions forced an early close to the drive on Friday; however, members of the community, event sponsors and Southwire employees were still able to, together, exceed the goal originally set for the collection.
“We are so fortunate to have an extremely giving community here in west Georgia,” said Kristian Whittington, Southwire’s manager of employee engagement and communication and Project GIFT coordinator. “We’ve seen great things happen time and time again when we all work together, and this year’s toy drive was no different.”
A collaborative effort between many local businesses, sponsors for the Southwire-hosted event for 2017 included West Georgia Technical College, Georgia Power, Associated Credit Union, University of West Georgia, Times-Georgian, Gradick Communications, R&R Enterprises, Metro West Realty, Carroll County Sertoma Club, Megabytes Digital and more.
All items collected were delivered to the Carroll County chapter of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program (Toys for Tots) for distribution in the area. Per its website, the primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens.
“I am absolutely amazed by the turnout we had in just a day and a half,” said Nadia Aghaie, communication specialist for Southwire and 2017 toy drive event coordinator. “Kids in Carroll County will have a brighter holiday season thanks to the generous donations of our friends, neighbors, fellow employees and sponsors. Thank you west Georgia!”
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