This article by Sarah Joans Elder appeared in the Marietta Journal on Wednesday, December 17, 1969.
It’s a child’s wonderland of toys and the neat stacks of canned goods and fresh foods probably look pretty good to Mon and Dad.
It’s Cobb’s “Christmas Store for the Needy”, a joint project of the Marine Reserve Toys for Tots program; American Legion Post 29; Smyrna Jaycees and Jayceetes; Marietta Jaycees, Sprayberry, Wheeler and Marietta High School Key Clubs; Interact; Fourth District Campfire Girls; Marietta Service Guild; and Cobb County Police and Fire Departments.
“We all have had separate projects for years,” Charles Bell, Chairman of Marietta Jaycees Empty Stocking Drive this year, said. “We just decided to combine them in a store with items for the needy. This way we prevent overlap – some people receiving things from several sources and others getting missed entirely.”
The American Legion contributed money for the store, which is housed in the legion post on Gresham Avenue; Marietta Jaycees are still conducting the Empty Stocking campaign to raise money for new toys and food; Smyrna Jacyees conducted their own Empty Stocking campaign; Jayceetes dressed dolls; Marines picked up, repaired, and delivered second hand toys; the youngsters contributed time, money, and labor.
In addition, Rich’s donated paper and boxes for gifts which were wrapped by the Smyrna Jayceetes; several churches also helped with the effort – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Green Acres Baptist, Legion Heights Baptist, St Phillips Methodist, and Crestwood Baptist; Tip Top Poultry donated 200 chickens; and Eggs, Inc. donated 300 dozen eggs.
