For the second year in a row, organizers of the “Make a Child Smile” Annual Christmas Ball Drive want Rome residents to know that donating a single ball to the program could make a world of difference for a child at the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Georgia.

The drive aims to provide a brand new ball for Christmas to every child who visits the Boys and Girls Club regularly.

“Right now we have 1,445 kids in our books who use the services of the Boys & Girls Clubs in Floyd and Polk counties,” said the organization’s chief professional officer Carrie Edge. “On an average day, about 360 kids come to the clubs to use our services and participate in our activities.”

The ball drive was an idea initiated by the club’s Latino Advisory Committee. Last year’s drive was successful, Edge said, and she hopes this year’s will be even more so.

“Last year, every child had something to take home at Christmas,” she said. “We have never been able to do that before.”

Last year’s drive collected more than 300 balls including major donations from Darlington School and Rome High School. The Rome News-Tribune is asking community members to donate unwrapped basketballs, soccer balls, tennis balls, rubber balls, footballs and volleyballs.

Ball dropoff locations include the Rome News-Tribune, The Rockmart Journal and the Cedartown Standard. Dropoff deadline is Dec. 21. At the moment the drive focuses only on sports balls but Edge cautioned Rome residents to not overlook the simplicity of the perennial childhood favorite.

“Every child can play with a ball,” she said. “We all remember childhood games with a basketball or a soccer ball or just a kickball. You’d be surprised at how much joy a ball can bring a child, especially this time of year.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Georgia is open to children from all sectors of the community. But Edge said about 70 percent of the kids who participate in their programs and activities are what the state would consider “income eligible.”

“So especially this time of year, when everyone has a few more expenses, it’s tough for many local families,” she said. “And with the recent economic downturn, there are some families who will simply not be able to afford Christmas. With the community’s help, we can send all the kids home with at least one new toy.”

The balls will be given to the children at the Floyd and Polk County clubs on Dec. 22.

“It’s the last day we’ll see them before Christmas,” Edge said. “So they’re going to get these wonderful gifts just in time to play with them on Christmas. That’s a wonderful feeling.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Georgia provides a safe place for children throughout the community to learn and grow after school, Edge said. Their experience here includes a healthy snack and they can do their homework under the guidance of adult counselors.

They can also participate in art, fitness, character development and community service programs as well as a variety of other activities.

Funding is provided by the Department of Human Resources as well as the United Way and local individuals and businesses. For additional information about the ball drive or to arrange for pickup of large donations, e-mail Cecilia Crow ccrow@rn-t.com or call 706-290-2296.

Drop off locations:

Rome News-Tribune, 305 E. Sixth Ave. between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday — Friday

Rockmart Journal, 238 Second. Piedmont Ave. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday — Friday

Cedartown Standard, 213 Main St. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday — Friday

Owens Hardware and Sporting Goods, 116 E. 2nd Ave., Rome, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.