There will be hundreds of happy children in Cedartown this Christmas thanks to the efforts of the community and the Cedartown United Fund.

The United Fund has collected thousands of toys since last week, when Faye McAllister, toy fund coordinator, worried about the lack of donations from the community.

There’s no need to worry now, McAllister said as she shuffled around boxes of toys and Barbie dolls.

Over 1,000 toys have been collected since Dec. 4. “Money, checks and toys came pouring in after the article in The Cedartown Standard ran…it really touched your heart to see people come out and give when we were in need,” commented McAllister.

She said the most popular toy people seem to bring in is the Barbie Volkswagen Beetle. Hundreds of stuffed animals have been received, as well as toy cars, sports equipment and board games.

This is McAllister’s fifth year of participating in the United Fund’s toy drive and her first year coordinating it without the help of long-time United Fund secretary Anne Edge.

Parents who have registered with the United Fund will be picking out three presents for each of their children in the coming days and taking them home to place under the tree.

McAllister said that WGAA radio had also contributed to the success of the toy drive.

“There will be a lot of happy kids in Cedartown this Christmas,” said McAllister.”I just want to thank everyone who helped.”

The Holiday Inn Express has also seen a good community turn out with their desire to help one family with their Christmas this year.

Gay Nichols, manager of the inn, said that she has received several presents that will be donated to the family.

The donations came mostly from employees of the Holiday Inn Express, but Nichols said that a group of teenagers came by and requested a copy of the child’s wish list. She said the teens returned a few hours later with presents for the child. “The teenagers told me that they had used some of their Christmas money to buy presents for this child,” said Nichols.

She said donations are still being accepted and anyone wishing to make a contribution can do so by stopping by the business, located on US 27 North.

“Regardless of whether or not we get a lot more donations,” said Nichols, “the child will have a good Christmas.”