For the twenty-fourth year, the Catoosa County sheriff’s office will sponsor the Stocking Full of Love toy drive. Each year the sheriff’s office accepts names of needy children from Catoosa County schools, civic organizations and state agencies and provides toys for those children at Christmas. Last year, 1,385 children received toys from stocking full of love because of generous donations from Catoosa County citizens.

This year, beginning Dec. 1, the sheriff’s office will begin collecting names of children (ages 12 months to 14 years) who would benefit from the program. Anyone needing assistance with Christmas should call either 965-7138 or 965-7139 for an appointment. Leave a message if necessary and someone will return your call. Names will only be accepted Dec. 1 through Dec. 10 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

After that date, donated toys will be sorted and more toys will be purchased with donated funds.

Anyone wishing to donate new toys can bring them to the Catoosa County sheriff’s office or contact the sheriff’s office to have the toys picked up at your residence or business when convenient. Sheriff Phil Summers stresses that the list of names continues to grow and the program is in great need of toy donations and monetary donations for the 2010 program.

All monetary donations should be by check, payable to the Catoosa County Stocking Full of Love, and may be mailed to the Catoosa County sheriff’s office at P.O. Box 909, Ringgold, Ga. 30736.