Masons to collect donations for families

While most people will be spending the next few Saturdays bustling around town finishing Christmas shopping, Gary Holland and other Masons will be collecting donations to make Christmas special for families in need.

//

After the Harlem Christmas parade on Saturday, Holland and the other Men of Harlem -- members of the John S. Davidson Masonic Lodge -- will be at the light at North Louisville Street at Milledge Road accepting monetary donations.

"It goes to the city for buying toys for the children," Holland said.

Last year, the group raised nearly $1,300 by going door to door, he said.

The funds will be donated to the City of Harlem's fifth annual toy drive.

"We got Santa Claus and went to the (city) Housing Authority, and Santa Claus went door to door there," said Denise Carter, an organizer of the drive. "Last year, we had enough money we did (Christmas gifts) for the adults there, too."

Monetary donations and new and unwrapped toys are being accepted through Dec. 22 at City Hall, City Hall Annex building and the Laurel and Hardy Museum.

The toys are distributed to residents of the Housing Authority in Harlem and to families who contact the city for assistance, or who came to the attention of the city through referrals from Columbia County Community Connections.

The toys will be distributed Dec. 23. For information, call Carter at (706) 556-0043.