Santa Comes Early for Thousands of Atlanta Children

Thanks to the overwhelming response to an appeal by Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless (HFTH) just one day before the event, thousands of Atlanta children received toys and gift cards Wednesday at the organization's fifth-annual Christmas party.

Late Wednesday, monetary gifts for the party — held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland St. — exceeded $24,000 and toy donations had reached at least 1,400, according to Elisabeth Omilami, president and CEO of HFTH. Omilami said this allowed HFTH to be able to give to 2,000 children, about 600 more than the number it served last year. The West End-based organization said donations of 700 toys from WSB-TV viewers and 600 from City of Refuge, another intown Atlanta nonprofit, reversed a record shortage faced just earlier this week.

Anita Lynn of Decatur picked up toys for her five grandchildren — ranging in age from six months to 14 years old. Lynn said the children will spend their first Christmas without their mother, who is behind bars.

"This means a lot for me, just so they have a smile on their faces," said Lynn.

Atlanta is the "poorest city in the country as far as children go," according to Omilami, who added that "nearly 50 percent of all children living in poverty in Atlanta live in families with yearly incomes of $15,000 or less."           

She said companies HFTH has counted on in previous years cut their toy donations by half or more this year. Still, she added, in part because of the economy, the requests for help this year increased.

Tuesday, HFTH organizers announced it was short some 600 toys for children under 12 and lacking enough gift cards for youth 12 to 16. The organization issued an urgent request for help, and within a matter of hours it saw the community come through.

The donations started with an on-air toy drive by WSB-TV. Omilami said Marian Pittman, the station's news director and a board member for HFTH, offered to help out with hours-long broadcasting. Viewers dropped off donations at the station's studios on West Peachtree St. and made online donations through the HFTH website, www.hoseafeedthehungry.com.  

The shortage of gifts earlier in the week made for the greatest number in the history of the organization, which marked its 40th anniversary this fall, Omilami said. It was started by Omilami's father, civil rights pioneer Rev. Hosea Williams, and has its headquarters at 1035 Donnelly Ave. in the West End community.

Staff and volunteers were out Wednesday morning just before the event purchasing Walmart gift cards, each valued at $50, for the older children.

After Omilami simultaneously handed over gift cards to three teenagers, one asked "Are we allowed to give you a hug?" before Omilami granted her request. She would receive many more such gestures, with a number of attendees walking over throughout the six-hour celebration to thank her and wish her a Merry Christmas.

In a packed room at The Loudermilk Center, parents — some alone, others with children or grandchildren at their sides — walked to the front of the room when a volunteer or staff member with HFTH announced their names over a microphone. They walked off with a plastic bag full of toys, some even carrying large trash bags, like Santa, on their backs.

In addition to the toy giveaways, the day included Thanksgiving-style fixings: turkey, ham, dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans and dessert.

Omilami said the event has grown over the years beyond just a party to a family affair.

"They sit around the tables as families and eat and they stay and interact and enjoy the entertainment," said Omilami. "It seems like they just really need to do that" as a temporary respite of sorts from their routines, she added.

In line with the holiday spirit, said Taraneshia Shivers of Atlanta, "You don't just want to come and receive, you want to receive and give" of your time by fellowshipping with others.

 Shivers attended the party with her sister and nieces. Three-year-old twins Amira and Takira Taylor and Shaniah Boyd, 4, picked up goodies with Shivers and their mom, Tashunta Williams, who said she hasn't worked in about one year. "It helps supplement what I didn't get them for Christmas," said Williams.

Also making it a family day were Carl Hemphill and his household: wife, Nachele, daughters Priya, 9, and Nola, 4, along with 8-year-old son, Kahli. It was a way to give back while teaching their children the importance of giving. Priya — with brother Kahli agreeing — said she "learned that not all kids are as lucky as I am to be able to get toys and hot food." 

Along with donating time, Hemphill found himself dressing up as a character to surprise the children — the Coca-Cola polar bear mascot. "I came to help any way that I could," said Hemphill. "The person that was supposed to dress up as the bear didn't show and I was asked to do it. It was nothing for me, with having three kids of my own."

A number of vendors donated services. These include The Loudermilk Center, which made the space available for the affair; Sodexo, which catered the event, AAA Parking and Coca-Cola.

On Christmas day, HFTH — which helps the homeless and provides financial and other assistance year-round "to the working poor," according to Omilami — will host its annual Christmas dinner at Turner Field. The organization is expecting to feed around 12,000 people, and deliver another 8,000 meals to neighborhoods, including to senior citizen high-rises.

In January, HFTH is planning to serve another roughly 14,000 individuals during its Martin Luther King Jr. dinner. HFTH welcomes donations and volunteers, especially for less-popular events during the year. To make a Christmas Day donation and to support other projects go to: www.hoseafeedthehungry.com.