A Time to Give…

After spending another Thanksgiving in Nicaragua, working with locals in outlying villages (which I have had the privilege to do for the past 7 years), I am once again so clearly reminded of the great need that exists not only in our community but around the world.

As we are in the midst of the holiday season a spirit of generosity surrounds us. There are many ministries that provide food for our hungry, clothes, shelter, and counseling for those in need. Please take a look at our website's Business Directory and click on the Family, Community & Civic Organizations to see how you might volunteer your time and donate funds to help support these organizations. This is such a busy time of year and the need is so great, please don’t miss the blessing of giving generously.

December 25th is rapidly approaching, and you need to check everyone off your Christmas List with a gift that is personal and just right for each of your loved ones. Before you shop out of town, make the intentional choice to visit our local shops here in Toccoa to help you accomplish your mission. You will find that just-right, unique gift for that special someone. On Main Street and beyond, we have so many lovely shops for specialty gifts, monogrammed accessories, art galleries, locally made items, beautiful dress shops and clothing stores. So fill the space underneath your tree with presents perfect for the ones you love most. You can find a list of many options to choose from at the Chamber website www.VisitToccoa.com under the Business Directory and Shopping and Retail. Wrap up a bit of Toccoa for Christmas!

When your house fills up with friends from out of town and you don’t have enough beds to accommodate, how nice that we have options here in our community to help you with your accommodation needs. Whether it’s a bed and breakfast, hotel, motel, conference center or camp and cabin setting that you’re looking for, Toccoa-Stephens County has it all. Take a look at the Chamber website www.VisitToccoa.com under the Business Directory and Lodging to find comfortable accommodations for those friends and family visiting over the holidays.

And if cooking is not your favorite pastime, we have wonderful restaurants to choose from too. Don’t spend all your time in the kitchen. Take the family to enjoy the many restaurants we have in our town. From our Historic Downtown Toccoa on Doyle Street, to Big A Road and beyond. Spend less time driving and more time visiting over a delicious meal served up fresh and hot right here in Toccoa. 

There’s just something special about a small town Christmas! The street s of Toccoa are beautifully decorated and there’s a feeling of Christmas in the air! The holiday festivities kick off Thursday night Dec. 3rd at the Paul Anderson Park Tree Lighting and Silent Auction.

ChristmasFest begins Friday, Dec.4th, and Downtown Toccoa will be all the rage with the addition this year of a Holiday Ice Skating Rink to add to the Festival of Trees, Live Nativity, Carriage Rides, Santa Claus visits and Santa’s Express Train, Christmas Sage Market, lighting of the City of Toccoa Christmas Tree and so much more! Most of the local shops will be open for business and there will be handmade arts and crafts available for purchase as well. This weekend is the perfect time to get your Christmas shopping done right here in Toccoa while you enjoy the benefits of the holidays in a small town. Re-invest in our community and wrap up a bit of Toccoa for Christmas!

In all the hustle and bustle and excitement of the season, let us be sure to remember the most generous gift ever given. The Gift, the Lord Jesus Christ; given to us by the Father, to redeem us back to Him. May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

Julie PaysenComment