Each year the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office works to bring Christmas to children in need.

This year the Sheriff’s Santa for Children program is making it easier for anyone to join in the spirit of Christmas and help them achieve their goal.

The Sheriff’s Santa Toy Drop is happening now through Dec. 17, and sheriff executive assistant Mechelle Cliatt said they are looking for all types of toys.

“Any toy is welcome,” Cliatt said. “Everything from basketballs and footballs to Barbies and baby dolls.”

New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the administration offices of the Floyd County Jail, 2526 New Calhoun Highway, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office at the Floyd County courthouse, 3 Government Plaza, or the Floyd County Administrative Building, 12 E. Fourth Ave.

Cliatt said they hope to help 130 children between ages 1-16 this year.

The Sheriff’s Santa program has been around for the last seven years but this is the first time that they have done a toy drop.

“We always have a lot of people who want to help out and don’t know how,” Cliatt said. “This gives them a way to be able to know that anything they can do will be helpful.”

Some toy donations have already been collected, but Cliatt said they have had a lot of inquiries about exactly what people can do.

“Hopefully the community will come through with a lot more toys, and we can make a lot of children happy,” Cliatt said.

People can donate one toy, or they can choose to buy toys for one child or for an entire family.

“We will give them the names and ages of all the children in a family, and they can purchase toys for all of them,” Cliatt said. “It’s been unique to see several people have wanted to do that, and it’s been a huge help.”

Cliatt said they had families go through an application process to be considered and made sure that any extra children that they could not accommodate were referred to Toys for Tots.

For more information contact Cliatt at 706-291-4111, extension 8812, or email execasst@comcast.net.