This article appeared in the Marietta Daily Journal on Tuesday, December 22, 1970.
Results of a combined community effort to help needy persons this Christmas could already be seen Monday as The Empty Stocking Fund “Christmas Store” opened at the American Legion Post 29 Hall at 921 Gresham Avenue, Marietta.
Jake Barmore, post commander and president of Cobb County Community Christmas Program, said, “We have groceries to take care of 300 food baskets and hope to go to 400.”
Donations of food or toys can be taken to the Legion post any time between now and Christmas. Chet Gray, Christmas Program Chairman, or some of many volunteers from various groups who are helping run “the store” will be on hand to accept further donations.
Applicants for Christmas have been screened through the cooperation of the Cobb County Emergency Aid Organization and the Marietta Women’s Service Guild.
After applicants have been approved, they are given cards which they can take to the Empty Stocking Store. There volunteers will assist them in picking up food and appropriate toys for their families.
The combined community drive was first begun several years ago, when the American Legion, Emergency Aid, and Marines Toys for Tots started putting their heads together to figure out a way to reach everybody.
“Some pros were getting something from everybody, and others were getting nothing” Barmore said. “I started begging other organizations to combine our efforts and we have done so. Hundreds of applicants have been screened, and lists compiled of needy persons eligible to receive assistance.”
Barmore said the American Legion had its own little Christmas drive for years. Now the Legion House Committee and Board of Directors allot a certain amount of money annually to the program, with this year’s donation amounting to nearly $3,000, Barmore said. The Legion also supplies collection points, and all the Legionnaires assist in many ways.
“But it’s really a combined effort now,” Barmore said, giving special credit to the Marines Toys for Tots Marietta; Smyrna, Marietta, Acworth, and Kennesaw Jaycees, the Marietta Jaycettes, the Emergency Aid Association, the Women’s Service Guild, and many individual volunteers.
The Marietta Jaycettes are manning the “store” and were being assisted Monday by a group of Sprayberry High School cheerleaders. A group of Wheeler High School members have made the community effort a class project, and Barmore said many youth groups have assisted.
