The holiday season is fast approaching, and Connecting Henry is preparing a pair of occasions for children and families.
Noel in November is set for November 18 from 5-7 p.m., at Clark Community Park, 111 Davis Road in Stockbridge. It will feature a number of holiday attractions, games and entertainment for families to enjoy, said Connecting Henry Executive Director Barbara Coleman.

“Vintage Vixens, an all-female cover band will be performing popular songs from the 60s and 70s,” said Coleman. “Participants can also expect solo performances from Stevie G., a local icon that performs R&B, country, and rock hits. Of course, Santa and Ms. Claus will be there to take photos, so please bring your cameras.”

Noel in November is designed as a toy drive to benefit Connecting Henry’s annual Community Cares Toy Shop, scheduled for December 9-10.

The price of admission is a donation of a new, unwrapped toy for the toy shop, which is in its 17th year.
“The music performers of Noel in November are amazing and rival well-known artists,” said Coleman. “It’s a time to get together over a cup of hot chocolate, sit back, dance, or sing along with the music. It’s good, clean fun for the entire family.”

“The Toy Shop is a great way for the community to support a neighbor, church member, classmate, and friend,” she added. “It’s a feel-good situation and a way to display acts of kindness to those that are less fortunate.”

Coleman said Noel in November and the Community Cares Toy Shop “bring hope and joy” to many in the community. She said both events bring people together to focus on helping others that are less fortunate. “Over the last several months, we’ve seen the struggles that some families are facing with deaths, job losses, and hardships. It is important to us to let the families know that we care about what they are going through, and are willing to help.”

The goal of the toy shop is to provide Christmas gifts for kids from pre-K to fifth grade, and their younger siblings in the home. Coleman said attendees at Noel in November “can donate new, unwrapped toys to Henry County children that may not otherwise receive a gift under the tree on Christmas morning.”

“[The toy shop] has evolved over the years and started with families being screened, interviewed, and matched with donors and community resources,” said Coleman. “This initiative grew into the current coordinated Benevolence Network, which locates and matches resources to needs. This Christmas program, now known as the Community Cares Toy Shop, has helped thousands of families over the years through donations from the community.

“Today, we work closely with Henry County Schools’ social workers and counselors in identifying families that need the resources,” she continued. “Our mission is to identify and connect existing resources in the community by facilitating collaboration to strengthen families and children in Henry County. Celebrating 25 years of helping families in the county, we try to avoid duplicating efforts and welcome collaboration with individuals and organizations that are providing toys to the same population. We continue to do both programs because we pride ourselves in implementing and carrying out programs that positively impact the family, and mainly those that are economically disadvantaged.”

Coleman said families, individuals, and businesses in Henry County are invited to make donations for the toy shop.
“Last year we served 733 children in the Community Cares Toy Shop,” she said. “With the current economic climate, we expect much the same this year if not more. We particularly need toys for 9-12-year-olds.”

Coleman said Connecting Henry is seeking local residents who wish to contribute their creativity for the holiday season.
“We are soliciting community-wide participation from anyone interested in decorating a wreath for the toy shop,” she said. “We will conduct a drawing and give the wreaths to the families. Supplies are limited and will be available to the first 25 callers. Please contact our office to arrange pick-up during the week of November 1.

Noel in November was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coleman said the event typically generates a strong response from the community, and that she expects the Toy Shop will do the same to celebrate the holidays.

“The breathtaking atmosphere, festive decorations, twinkling lights and trees, with a full display of toys is a sight to behold at the Toy Shop,” said Coleman. “Parents and guardians are always amazed when entering into the ‘Winter Wonderland’ and shopping through a huge selection of quality gifts and smiling volunteers. We receive thank-you calls and cards for weeks after the event from thankful recipients.”

Coleman said Connecting Henry is continuing to take measures to protect the public from COVID-19 at both holiday events.

“Noel in November is held outside in the park and masks are encouraged,” she said. “We will limit the number of children’s events that require close contact. Sanitizer and masks will be available.

The Toy Shop will be in a space that is large enough to spread out and social distance. Temperature kiosks, hand sanitizer, and masks will be available. Anyone running a fever will not be allowed to enter. Those that might not be feeling well are encouraged to send someone in their place to shop.”

Coleman said volunteers are needed to ensure the toy shop’s success. “We have a staff of six people and cannot pull this off without help,” she said. “We need people to help in setting up, decorating, tearing down, and volunteering for the two-day Community Cares Toy Shop. Last year, less than 50 volunteers came out to help. It was very tiresome and stressful, but Connecting Henry’s staff was determined to make Christmas morning memorable for Henry County’s greatest asset. We worked countless hours, well into midnight for weeks to make the event possible.”

Coleman extended her gratitude to volunteers from the Henry County Fire Department, McDonough fire and police departments, and Georgia Power for their support. She also thanked Stockbridge City Councilman John Blount, the City of Stockbridge, and Speer Entertainment for their ongoing support of Noel in November.

“Last year we couldn’t hold the event due to COVID-19,” said Coleman. “However, this year, they were determined to bring the event back in the safest manner possible. We will still hold the event rain or shine. The band will perform under the covered area, and we will have a drop off location for the toys should it rain.”

Connecting Henry, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit, is fully supported through grants, foundations, and donations. The group is seeking toys, toy drives, or monetary donations for the Community Cares Toy Shop through November 30, said Coleman.

For more information, contact Connecting Henry at 770-274-3642. Donations may be made through their website, www.connectinghenry.org. Checks may be made payable to Connecting Henry, Inc.