Pick-ups for local charity programs started as the final donations were made.

After receiving a few late donations, Maplesville’s Toys for Kids totaled their donations to $1,100. With that money they served 85 families and 181 children along with a few walk-ins that received small toys such as books and extras that were bought.

“We have tried to make sure that everyone gets a little something. Even if they weren’t on our list to receive a full bag of toys, we made sure we had a few things here to where they might could pick up a toy or two or a book,” Town Clerk Sheila Haigler said.

Although pick-up was set from 8 until noon yesterday, the office will allow late pick-ups from 8-9 a.m. today.

The Chilton County Fraternal Order of Police were able to help 138 families this Christmas through Operation: Santa Claus. That total translates to 325 children.

“We would like to thank everyone who donated money, toys, clothes and their time to help make this Christmas a little better for some of the children in our community. We hate that we were not able to help everyone who completed an application, but things were hard this year,” F.O.P. Officer John Shearon said.

The Christmas Wishes program came out on the good side with almost every foster child in the Department of Human Resources’ custody being sponsored for Christmas. There are 155 foster kids in the program and all of them will be receiving a special Christmas thanks to people in the community who donated to the cause.

– Ashley McCartney can be reached at ashley.mccartney@clantonadvertiser.com.