Cedartown United Fund's annual Christmas Toy Program for the less advantaged children in the community is in full swing, according to Fund authorities. Among the many other services the Fund provides, the Toy Program is one of the most utilized in the community, Fund officials say.

The Fund will accept new and used toys that are in good condition. Toys may be dropped off at the Fund office on South College Street, near the bridge, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon, through Dec. 13. Monetary donations will also be accepted and can be mailed to: The United Fund, Christmas Toy Program, P.O. Box 311, Cedartown, GA 30125. Toys will be distributed on Friday, Dec. 15, at the Goodyear Civic Center. Fund officials thank the community in advance for its support. "This is an excellent opportunity to have children clean out their toy boxes and select some well-love toys to share with other children," says Lori Barton, Fund representative.

Anyone needing additional information can contact Anne Edge at the United Fund office at 770-748-1215. -- Mayor's Motorcade -- The City of Cedartown will be doing its part to make the holiday season special for residents of the state's mental health and retardation hospitals. For 42 years, cities across Georgia have brought the joy of the holiday season to patients at Georgia's eight regional mental health and retardation hospitals through the Mayors' Christmas Motorcade. The program, begun by the Georgia municipal Association (GMA) in cooperation with Governor Ernest Vandiver, relies on citizen participation in each city to donate gifts for the patients, many of who would not receive gifts or be recognized without the Mayors' Christmas Motorcade. According to hospital staff, many of the patients at these hospitals have lived there most of their lives and have little, if any, support or contact with friends and family. Donated items from the City of Cedartown will be delivered to Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital on Tuesday, December 12. Civic organization, businesses, churches, schools, scout troops and individual citizens are encouraged to help with the collection of gifts for the Mayors' Christmas Motorcade. For more information on how groups can participate, please call Fire Chief Kenneth Roberts at 770-748-3220. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 482 member cities. -- Secret Santa -- Thousands of Georgia children in foster care depend on caring members of the public for the Christmas gifts they dream of, through "Secret Santa," a program coordinated by the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). More contributions are needed by the Dec. 15 deadline. "Every year we get a lot of support from donors and we appreciate this," says Doris Walker, manager of DFCS' foster care unit. "Their support really makes Christmas special for children in foster care. This is a program where everyone can help. Every donation is appreciated and they really make a difference in the lives of these children. "Clark Howard of WSB Radio has provided enthusiastic support and acquired the support of many radio listeners across Atlanta," says Walker. Howard conducts six remote radio broadcasts from stores in the Atlanta area each December. This year he will be broadcasting from Target stores to urge shoppers to buy a gift for children in foster care. Some corporate sponsors collect gifts and money for Secret Santa from their employees, but most of the contributions are from individuals. Local DFCS staff volunteer to collect the gifts from donors and see that they are delivered to each child's foster parents. Over 12,000 children are in foster care in Georgia, because they have suffered the loss of a parent or have experienced neglect or abuse. More than 600 children still need their wish list filled. Of these, 196 are located in Muscogee County. To find out how to contribute gifts or money to the Secret Santa program, call 404-657-3459 in Atlanta or statewide 1-877-987-2682. You may also visit the program's website at www.secretsanta.dhr.state.ga.us.