Cullman Association of Realtors kicks off annual toy drive

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Last year’s toy drive was wildly successful, and the Cullman Association of Realtors is hoping for community involvement to make the 2023 toy drive larger than ever, benefiting children with Cullman County’s Department of Human Resources. (Monica Williams)

CULLMAN, Ala. – Local realtors are gearing up for the holiday season and preparing to make Christmas wishes come true. Now through Dec. 13, the Cullman Association of Realtors will be collecting new items benefiting children involved with the Cullman County Department of Human Resources (DHR).

Alabama DHR reports that over 40,000 children are currently involved in an open case for various reasons, many of them in foster homes and temporary placements across the state.

Cullman Association of Realtors Co-Chair Monica Williams said the annual toy drive began as a small company-only luncheon; Association members brought in toys to sponsor a child’s Christmas. The event grew as Cullman’s need for support around Christmastime expanded and the Association followed suit, asking for help from the community.

“We have done the toy drive for 10-plus years, and in the beginning, we just did it at our December Realtor and Affiliate Luncheon where members of the Association brought toys,” Williams said. “In the past few years the need has become greater, so we have started reaching out to the community to help get more donations.”

Donations of Barbie dolls, Nerf dart guns and craft kits are among the requests from the younger tykes; makeup, body spray and clothing store gift cards comprise the older teens’ lists. In addition to the above-mentioned items, Williams and the Association are asking for donations of new items and toys like board games, Hot Wheels, earbud headphones, small learning toys for infants and toddlers and clothing and shoes in all sizes.

New household essentials are also accepted. Said Williams, “They have needs more than just Christmas presents and toys; we also help with household items and everyday necessities a family may need, and we usually end up helping five to six families in addition to the toys we donate.”

Drop-off locations can be found around Cullman at both the Alabama Highway 157 and Cherokee Avenue branches of EvaBank, ERA Waldrop Real Estate, Weichert Realtors and Home League Real Estate.

For more information , contact Rita Fromhold at 256-338-6956.

EvaBank is located at 1710 Cherokee Ave. NW and 3210 Alabama Highway 157. It is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

ERA Waldrop Real Estate is located at 312 First Ave. SE. It is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Weichert Realtors is located at 403 Fourth Ave. SW. It is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Home League Realtors is located at 218 First Ave.  SE. It is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

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