Rip Robertson is the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Tucker.
Tucker Parks and Recreation is proud to partner once again with the Empty Stocking Fund for the 2022 holiday season. After assisting hundreds of families last year, we are happily continuing this effort for a second holiday season. It is even more important today as our community continues with their efforts to return to normal.
Not familiar with the organization? In 1927, the Empty Stocking Fund was created by a small group of employees of The Atlanta Georgian, the predecessor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Through relationships with wholesale distributors and in-kind donations from trusted corporations, the Empty Stocking Fund acquires new items in quantities sufficient to offer a variety of age- and gender-appropriate holiday gift choices and essential school supplies.
Those families that qualify for benefits through the state of Georgia are invited to register and shop for gifts through this program. In December, qualified families are invited to shop for gifts and supplies for their children (birth to 12 years old).
This program is unique in how they allow parents to choose (shop) for toys and gifts they want for their children. The gifts are prepared and packaged for giving at the family’s time and place chosen. For decades, parents were invited to come to Santa’s Village, a toy and gift store, to shop for their children’s gifts. As they continue to protect staff, volunteers, and especially families during the holidays, Santa’s Village will once again be digital! Parents only need to register their children, upload proof of benefits, and will again shop online from any web-enabled device. Orders will be packed at ESF’s warehouse facility in SE Atlanta and parents may choose a convenient location for pick up, whether it’s at the ESF facility or one of the distribution partners events.
The City of Tucker is a distribution site for the Empty Stocking Fund again in 2022. Parents can choose to pick up their holiday packages at the Tucker Recreation Center on December 8 and December 10. If you are a family in need of support or would like to volunteer to distribute gifts at the Recreation Center, you can get more information and/or register at tuckerga.gov/esf.
