The total number of volunteer hours for this was over 600.  This does not include the innumberable hours spent by the person in charge of working with the many, many people and organizations which donate the toys and also the hours given by the volunteer in the DFCS office.

How amazing is this?  This truly does your heart good to know that so many children that needed help were given something special in the Christmas season.  My part was very small compared to all the effort which goes into making the Toy Store successful.  These people that give of their time and generosity year after year are to be commended.

Again, it was a wonderful experience for me and one I will not forget.  If anyone is interested, the Easter Basket event for the foster children will be held March 30 – April 7.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Deborah Barinowski at the DFCS in Lawrenceville.

Questions or comments are always appreciated.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com

Besides getting ready for Christmas and the arrival of all my children, I spent two weeks before Christmas doing some volunteer work.  I volunteered for the Toy Store which is sponsored by the Department of Children’s and Family Services.  I was co-coordinator for the toy inventory.  I had no idea what I was really getting myself into with the project.  This project is devoted to providing toys for the foster children of Gwinnett County and the children in protective custody.  I have to say that this experience was one of the best in my life.  I’m being selfish here.  Volunteering for this project made me feel very good.  I knew that these foster children would have something to look forward to on Christmas  morning.  I think we all take for granted the many blessings which we have.  Sometimes I think we forget that everyone doesn’t have the safe and stable life that we and our children have.  As the director said, “This doesn’t make up for the child’s lousy life, but it does give them a break from their situation.”

I met new people with whom I volunteered.  They were all wonderful and gave of their time selflessly.  Many had done this previously.  The extra volunteers that showed up to help the regular volunteer staff were amazing.  Some businesses offered this to their employees as a way to give back to the community.  They all came with a cheerful and helping attitude.

One thing that I was amazed at was the generosity of the community which brought toys for all these children.  I didn’t know what to expect since this was my first time volunteering for the foster children.  I was worried that the economic times would make an impact on what and the volume of gifts that were donated.  I was very wrong.  I stood in awe as I looked around the facility and saw hundreds and hundreds of toys, clothes, and gifts for these foster children.  People were so generous.  So many times on the news all we hear about are the bad things in life.  This was so refreshing to see and experience all the goodness of so many people.

I came away at the end of this experience realizing just how much my family and I have to be grateful for in our lives.  I am most appreciative for the opportunity to have been a small part of this project and thank everyone for making this special for so many people.

I wish you all a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Questions or comments are always appreciated.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com