GCM Staff Report
Hunter’s Heart is seeking more children, sponsors and volunteer shoppers for its annual Hunter’s Heart for the Holidays program, which offers Christmas gifts to Baldwin County families facing financial hardship.
The application window remains open through Dec. 5, according to a news release.
The program operates much like an Angel Tree and was created to ensure every child can experience the season’s magic regardless of a family’s financial strain. Children are “adopted” from community Wish Trees, then receive personalized gifts chosen by sponsors or volunteer shoppers. “Spreading joy, love and hope this Christmas season” is the program’s guiding message, said in the release.
Organizers said sponsors make the effort possible. Businesses and organizations can adopt children or families, donate money or gifts, or provide goods or services. Sponsorship packages are available for those who want to assist multiple children or support the program at a higher level, per the release.
Volunteer shoppers can also adopt children by receiving each child’s age, sizes, favorite color and wish list. The release said volunteering in this way offers an opportunity to share the joy of giving while staying connected to the community.
Wish Trees, where residents can select a child to support, are available at these locations:
• Southern Dentistry, 8477 CR 64 #3 in Daphne
• McKenzie Farm Market, 17558A South Greeno Road in Fairhope
• Spanish Fort Animal Clinic, 8287 Spanish Fort Boulevard in Spanish Fort
• Wave Medical, 2200 US-98 in Daphne
• Cheeseburger Randy’s, 209 S. Alston Street in Foley
• Baldwin GYN & Aesthetics, 1506 N. McKenzie St #104 in Foley
Gifts must be left unwrapped with the child’s tag number attached. Drop-off locations include:
• Southern Dentistry, 8477 CR 64 #3 in Daphne
• McKenzie Farm Market, 17558A South Greeno Road in Fairhope
• Spanish Fort Animal Clinic, 8287 Spanish Fort Boulevard in Spanish
• Wave Medical, 2200 US-98 in Daphne
• Amazing Finds, 1002 SR-59 in Summerdale
Families living in Baldwin County may apply for assistance if their children are 17 or younger as of Dec. 25. Proof of address is required. Applicants must also be primary guardians, and children must live in the household most of the time.
Those looking to apply can do so at www.eventeny.com/events/applications/application/?id=6900.
To help prioritize those most in need, the program asks for a brief description of the family’s financial circumstances or documentation such as proof of income or assistance benefits. All information remains confidential and is used only for eligibility checks and to prevent duplicate assistance.