Noteworthy

A large crew of volunteers loaded the toys and bikes onto trucks.

Toys for Tots Rakes in Thousands of Toys

Thousands of toys were collected this year in Cherokee County during the annual Toys for Tots campaign, coordinated by Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 toys - more than in years past - were donated, along with more than 80 bicycles.

A truck with a 26-foot long trailer was filled to capacity with boxes and bags of toys. After delivering the cargo to an area processing center, the truck returned to pick up more boxes and bikes.

Battalion Chief of Support Services, Marc Liscio, stated numerous businesses, schools and local events assisted the fire department with their annual toy drive this year, including Belnick, Chart Industries, IsoTech, Sarah Kendall with Edward Jones, Southeast Restoration, Ball Ground Elementary, Clark Creek Elementary, Holly Springs Elementary, Hickory Flat Elementary, The March of the Toys Parade in Ball Ground and the Canton Christmas Parade.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Maj. Bill Hendricks.

Resident Receives Gift of New Roof

Janice Sisk has a new roof over her head, thanks to local real estate agent Sarah Terrell, and a special holiday giveback campaign - Shingle All The Way - by Woodstockbased Terminus Construction Group. Sisk’s husband, Steve, died from brain cancer last summer; the family has lived in Towne Lake more than 25 years, and Steve was a pillar in the community. He was in charge of maintenance for Hobgood Park, where he was well-known and loved by players and their families. He also drove a school bus to supplement their income and provide insurance for his wife and three sons.

Part of Terrell’s nomination: “Steve has had a positive impact on many kids through coaching and/or on his bus over the years. Janice is now trying to maintain Hobgood and applying to drive a bus to help ends meet. Their house really needs a new roof, but Janice can’t afford one. I would love to surprise her with a new roof.”

Watch a video created by the female-owned business at www.facebook.com/terminusconstructiongroup.