Nicole's House of Hopes provides toys, essential items to struggling families

ATLANTA - Hundreds of families gathered at the West End Mall this Christmas for a festive giveaway hosted by Nicole’s House of Hope and the Unity Network. The "Christmas Give Back" event brought smiles, toys, and essential items to children and families facing financial struggles, all free of charge.

Organizers created a party-like atmosphere to spread holiday cheer and ensure no child was left without a toy. Yolanda Jackson, executive director of Nicole’s House of Hope, shared the motivation behind the event: "We got call after call from families asking if we were giving away toys. We don’t want to see any child without something special this Christmas."

Beyond the toys, families also received clothing and food to help navigate what has been an especially challenging year. Jackson emphasized the importance of year-round support, saying, "We want to provide families with resources like job assistance and skill development so they won’t need this service next year."

The impact was evident in the joyful reactions of the children. Melody Williams, a volunteer, says she was inspired by her late mother’s tradition of giving back, saying that seeing the kids' smiles makes it all worthwhile. 

The event concluded in the early afternoon, but any leftover toys will be distributed to the community. Nicole’s House of Hope is already planning future events, including a back-to-school drive this summer, to continue their mission of helping those in need.