The Walker County Al Millard Stocking Full of Love program gathered up nearly $80,000 in toys to distribute to Walker County area wide disadvantaged children on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Oakwood Baptist Church in Chickamauga.

According to Walker Sheriff’s deputy Bruce Coker, $38,000 in toys was purchased, along with toy donations from the toy drives and motorcycle runs — all equaled up to $80,000 for the charity. And once Christmas is over, it will be time to use the remainder for next year’s stock of love for the children.

All toys were distributed to Walker County children who needed a healthy stock in the magic of the holidays.

The year-round event searches for and helps raise funding for the charitable event.

Coker said the 70 volunteers consists of “people who love to do it.”

Coker thanked all the volunteers, including the Stocking Full of Love staff, Oakwood Baptist Church, and Walker County SWAT for providing security to make sure everything went in an orderly and fair fashion.

The Sheriff’s Office operates Stocking Full of Love, which buys Christmas gifts for children in needy families in Walker County. The charity was started in 1989 and is named in honor of former sheriff Al Millard.

To donate: Checks can be mailed to Stocking Full of Love, Walker County Sheriff’s Office, PO Box 767, LaFayette GA 30728; or they can be dropped off at the Sheriff’s Office at 105 S. Duke St. in LaFayette.