The Community Assistance Center is inviting individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to help local families facing financial hardship celebrate the holidays through its annual Hope for the Holidays program.

Unlike traditional toy drives, the program allows sponsors to purchase gifts from each participating child’s personal wish list.

Red Hope for the Holidays logo with gift box for Community Assistance Center (CAC) holiday giving program in Sandy Springs
The Community Assistance Center is inviting community members to participate in its annual Hope for the Holidays toy drive.
(Provided by the Community Assistance Center)

The Central Perimeter nonprofit’s announcement said the holiday season may bring added financial stress for families already struggling with the rising costs of groceries, housing, and other everyday necessities. According to September 2026 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, toy prices rose 6.6% over the past year.

How to participate

Now in its 21st year, Hope for the Holidays aims to pair 1,500 children with community sponsors. CAC then assists with distribution so parents can wrap and present the gifts themselves, preserving the joy and dignity of giving.

Sponsors can register beginning Nov. 6 and deliver unwrapped gifts between Dec. 1 and Dec. 12 to CAC’s Holiday Gift Center, located at 1130 Hightower Trail.

Once registered, sponsors can select a family to support and review their children’s wish lists. Donations can include toys, gift cards, or requested items such as bicycles, tablets, dolls, and board games. Sponsors are asked to spend $100 per child.

Groups or organizations that want to support 10 or more children can contact Cares for Kids Coordinator Oscar Nuñez at caccaresforkids@ourcac.org.

The program serves families with children 18 years and under living in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and the portion of Doraville served by Dunwoody schools. Interested families can apply through Nov. 16. The program is open to CAC clients only; new families must enroll as clients to participate.

CAC CEO Francis K. Horton III said the toy drive not only brings joy to children but also helps ease the financial pressures parents experience during the holiday season

“Hope for the Holidays makes it possible for sponsors to impact families they may never personally meet,” Horton said. “We are incredibly grateful to the hundreds of community members who sponsor families and volunteer their time to make this program happen.”

This report was compiled and written by Rough Draft Atlanta's staff.