History of Wilson County Christmas for All

The Christmas gift and food program began under the Wilson County Department of Human Services (DHS) as an effort to provide holiday assistance to families and individuals in need. As the program grew beyond the department’s capacity, then-Director JoAnne Smith sought community partners to continue the mission. Around 1993, she connected with the BellSouth Pioneers, who agreed to take over the project. DHS employees and the Lebanon Fire Department remained active supporters.

After assuming leadership, the BellSouth Pioneers partnered with the Lebanon Fire Department’s Spirit of Christmas Toy Drive, which collected toys from across the community to benefit the program. Through those donations—along with contributions from businesses, schools, and individuals—they were able to bring Christmas joy to hundreds of Wilson County residents each year. DHS continued to assist by providing a location for the collection and distribution of applications for assistance.

For several years, the BellSouth Pioneers worked tirelessly to sustain the program. However, as Wilson County continued to grow, their membership and resources could no longer keep pace with the increasing need.

In 2001, a group of local citizens recognized the importance of keeping the program alive and established what is now known as Wilson County Christmas for All. Two years later, in 2003, the organization was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization.

Today, Wilson County Christmas for All, with the continued support of DHS employees and the Lebanon Fire Department, provides toys each Christmas to children living east of TN-109 (primarily in Lebanon and Watertown). Meanwhile, Big Brothers of Mt. Juliet, through Mothers Toy Store, serves children living west of TN-109. Together, these organizations ensure that the children of Wilson County have a joyful Christmas.

Wilson County Christmas for All (CfA) provides Christmas toys for nearly 2,600 underprivileged children, from newborns through age 13. The program receives generous support from the Lebanon Fire Department Toy Drive, the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots, and many local businesses, churches, and individuals who donate toys or sponsor children by purchasing gifts directly for them. The entire organization is operated completely by volunteers.

Throughout the year, CfA volunteers purchase and collect toys to prepare for the holiday season. In late October, the toys are moved from storage to a designated warehouse. There, volunteers sort and organize them by category to make shopping for each child’s gifts easier.

Applications for assistance open October 1 online and are also accepted in person at the Department of Human Services beginning in late October. Once applications are submitted, volunteers enter the information into a database. This information is used to match children with sponsors or to guide volunteers in selecting toys that best fit each child’s wishes.

Volunteers play an essential role in every part of the process. Some of their duties include:

· Entering application information into the database

· Shopping for children based on their wish lists

· Contacting parents when their gifts are ready

· Assisting with toy distribution

Volunteers are needed from late October through mid-December, with toy pickup beginning the Friday before Thanksgiving and continuing until all families have received their gifts.

Together, our volunteers, donors, and community partners ensure that every child in need experiences the joy of Christmas.