Martin's General Store Collects Nearly $2,500 For Toys For Tots

BALL GROUND, GA -- If there is a local store in Cherokee County that truly has the Christmas spirit, it’s Martin’s General Store.

The store on Gilmer Ferry Road in downtown Ball Ground, owned by Bridget and David Martin, have hosted a few events this month to raise money for the Toys for Tots campaign.

“The Martins came to me and asked if I would donate my time as Santa to help raise money for the Toys for Tots campaign in 2016,” said Ball Ground resident Tim Cavender.

One Sunday in December, Two Little Feet Photography offered its services to shoot professional photos with Santa to raise money.

The following Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus, portrayed by wife Pam Cavender, returned to the store for families to use their own camera to take photos of the Clauses for a donation to Toys for Tots.

The Martins also raffled an American Girl Doll to raise money. Nearly $2,500 was raised for the Toys for Tots organization, David Martin said.

“This doesn’t count the two Toys for Tots boxes in our store that are completely full with toys,” he added.

The Martins used the money they collected to buys toys, numerous bicycles, scooters and a Pogo stick for less fortunate children in the community.

The Atlanta Toys for Tots Campaign supports 17 counties in metro Atlanta, including Cherokee County. All toys collected from these counties are distributed to the children who reside within those respective borders.

Atlanta Toys for Tots is a local affiliate of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and helps needy families throughout the metro-Atlanta area by playing an active role in the development of one of the nation's most valuable natural resources – children.

More information about the organization can be found on its website.

Image via Tim Cavender