The Coming Together Organization (CTO) will be holding its two holiday charity events this December. They will distribute gifts to approximately 350 needy children through their Give a Child a Wish Project. CTO will also hold their annual Christmas Feeding, in which they prepare and deliver dinners to people in need.

The 29th annual Give a Child a Wish Project will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Demopolis Project Recreational Center. Anyone wishing to donate toys may give them to any CTO member. They can also drop them off at the Demopolis Project Recreational Center on Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to CTO’s president, Willard Williams, the Give a Child a Wish Project is for “all children and juveniles at risk.”

CTO’s 29th annual Christmas Feeding will be on Dec. 25 at Kora’s Place in Demopolis. The Christmas Feeding will provide hot, home-cooked Christmas dinners to “whoever wants a plate.”

Williams said that, while it was originally intended for the elderly, CTO discovered that there were more people in need of a home-cooked Christmas dinner.

“We found out that not only the elderly needed it, but a few young people needed it too,” said Williams.

Williams said that he wanted to help the struggling mother who has to decide to pay the power bill or cook a Christmas dinner.

While these two events have been “extremely successful” in the past, “donations are way short,” according to Williams.

CTO is accepting monetary, food and gift donations at Kora’s Place. Volunteers are also welcome.

“I really need help from the community as far as donating time,” he said.

Williams also said that the Christmas Feeding is open to Marengo, Sumter, Greene and Hale counties and churches are welcome to pick up plates to feed their congregation or community.

Donations can be made to any CTO member or mailed to P.O. Box 1084, Demopolis, AL 36732. For more information, contact Williams at 334-289-0142 or 334-216-3310.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, December 6 issue of the Demopolis Times.)