Secret Santa requests for help down this year

GAINESVILLE - It may be another sign of an improving economy: the number of requests for help from the Chattahoochee Baptist Association's "Secret Santa" program is down.

"That's a good thing," says the association's Mike Walston, "because obviously the needs are being met."

Nevertheless, Walston says there is still a need.

"We've got right around 700 children that we are needing to provide presents for this year," he tells WDUN'S The Bill & Joel Morning Show.

The program collects new toys each Christmas for underprivileged children.

Walston says there are two ways you can help: by sponsoring an individual youngster (contact his office for information on that) or picking up a couple of new toys and taking them, unwrapped, to the office where parents will come by and select presents for their youngsters.