DALTON, Ga. — Volunteers with the Sharing is Caring Community Christmas organization such as Marina Acosta spent Wednesday morning shopping at Kohl’s, preparing for almost 400 families who will benefit from the effort on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the North Georgia Fairgrounds.

Acosta said shopping for the project was “very fulfilling.”

“I come across families that are facing some hard times and not able to do this kind of shopping for their kids,” said Acosta, a social worker for Dalton Public Schools.

Carlene Mutter, Dalton-Whitfield County Family Connection coordinator, said the project is open to families in the community who need help providing for their kids. Parents who are in the program, identified through the school systems and area day cares and who must meet certain income criteria, will be able to select three toys and one outfit per child at their designated time between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Dec. 17.

To qualify, the parents were required to complete three classes. Available classes included topics such as child abuse prevention, family budgeting, cooking healthy meals, homework assistance and understanding social media.

“During the application process parents bring certificates stating they’ve completed classes,” Mutter said. “That’s when we put them in the database and give them an appointment to come shop.”

Vendors with information about food stamps, housing, insurance and medical assistance will be available on site for families while they wait to shop. Families will also be given gift certificates to Food City for groceries.

Mutter said school social workers have done a great job getting new families for assistance.

“We always have families that didn’t know about the program or are transients,” she said.

Acosta and volunteer Diana Marquez were shopping for teen girls.

“Making a statement with fashion can increase one’s self-esteem so much,” Acosta said.

Marquez works with the Readers to Leaders program at the Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership in Dalton. She said volunteering is a great opportunity to give back to the community.

“It’s really nice to give back to those that are not fortunate,” she said.

Stephanie Hogshead, also with Readers to Leaders, said she enjoys being a part of Sharing is Caring Community Christmas.

“It’s a great opportunity that our community provides for families to be able to come and shop and provide Christmas for their kids,” she said. “It also provides necessities like clothes. It’s just a fun way to give back and I enjoy being a part of it.”

Store volunteers are still needed. To sign up, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4eabab23a3ff2-sharing or call Mutter at (706) 934-2851.

Mutter said monetary donations come from area churches throughout the year.

“Without their funds, we couldn’t buy these items. This is one of their projects for the community as part of an outreach program,” she said.

Stores work with Sharing is Caring representatives so the volunteers can shop at discounted prices.

“Kohl’s gives us family and community discounts,” Mutter said.

Wal-Mart is also a big sponsor of the effort. Next week volunteers will shop there for toys.

Mutter said she’d like to stress how involved the parents who benefit from the program are.

“They complete educational classes to hopefully make their families better. Parents then come and personally pick items their kids like, wrap them and put them under the tree,” she said.