Haralson County Veterans are getting an early start on Toys for Tots this year and are organizing unique ways to collect toys and money for the charity.

Toys for Tots is a long-running charity that was founded in 1947 by Col. William L. Hendricks with 74 charities operating nationwide. By last year, the program had grown to 691 charities operating nationwide, including Haralson County.

According to event organizer and Marine Corps veteran Curtis Eidson, there is a need in this county for the charity, and since the closest Marine Corps reserve is in Marietta, marine veterans are often called upon to organize outlying areas.

“[We’re starting early] to get a head start on some things,” said County Commissioner and President of the Haralson County Veterans Association Sammy Robinson. “Last year we didn’t have a chance to do too much in Haralson County.”

Robinson said the association has been working on the project since the Fourth of July celebration in Tallapoosa, where a table was set up to inform those interested in becoming volunteers about the work involved. The veterans are already accepting donations and have organized the Concert for Our Children in Helton Howland Park on Oct. 16 to bolster donations. The concert already has 10 to 12 confirmed acts, headlined by the George Britt Band.

“It will start at 2 p.m. and end at 8 or 9 p.m., and there will be all types of bands there,” Robinson said. “To get in will cost a new, unwrapped toy or a $5 donation.”

Robinson said that all donations within the county will go to Haralson County families this year, and with so many generous donations last year, this year’s work should go exceptionally well.

Last year was the first year that the Veterans Association had participated in the charity, and Robinson said that it will be a yearly venture from now on. Last year the program served just under 900 children.

Eidson said his goal is to make Haralson County children happy.

“We’re trying to blanket Haralson County and give toys to 2,000 kids,” he said. “Anything is welcome. We’d like to have a lot of stocking stuffers and hard candies – we need as many as we can get.”

He said the greatest need is toys for ages 10 to 12. He estimates that he will need $3,000 to operate the charity this year and is calling on support for local businesses and residents.

As collections begin, each application will have three toys assigned to each child. Following distribution, more toys will be added to each application. Eidson said that at the end of last year, each child had five to seven toys under the family’s tree.

“Our goal is that every kid in Haralson County has something for Christmas. The people in Haralson County really step up to the plate when it comes to kids.”

“We’ll use the Haralson County Stockyard Barn as a distribution point around Christmas,” Robinson said. “There will also be drop-offs at the Commissioners’ Office, city fire departments, Tallapoosa Police Department, Tallapoosa City Hall, Pioneer Ford, Ridley Brothers, the Haralson County Gateway-Beacon, and River City Propane. Especially with last year and this year, the economy is in such a mess, there’s families out there that have kids that won’t have very much. It’s important for those that have to give to those that have not,” he said.

The Veterans Association has already held two meetings to determine the work that will go in to this year’s campaign. Robinson said the HCVA has several co-sponsors, including Pioneer Ford, Ridley Brothers, and the Pilot Truck Stop in Tallapoosa.

“It’s important to give these kids as much as you possibly can,” Robinson said. “We had just a few toys left over from last year due to people and companies being so gracious.”

Haralson County Schools Public Relations Coordinator Kersha Cartwright is accepting applications from families and can be reached at the county office: 770-646-3382.

Robinson said that anyone interested in donating or becoming a collection site for the campaign should call him at 678-416-1401 or Eidson at 770-574-9558.

The next event that Haralson County Veterans Association will sponsor is the Veteran’s Day Bike Run on Saturday, Nov. 6, to help raise money for the upkeep of League Lowe Memorial Veterans Park in Tallapoosa. Last year, the event saw 175 motorcycles and 250 riders from all over the country.