WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Southern Santa group in Houston County hosted their annual Christmas giveaway.
"We just want to thank Houston County. All the residents who bear the cold nights, standing alone in the road when we come through with Santa Claus handing us gifts, and this is the outcome," co-founder Shane Shifflett said.
This is their fourth year at Olympia Skate Center handing out boxes of presents to struggling families. They collect gifts and monetary donations throughout the year.
Organizers say they don't want people to suffer alone and ask people to reach out for support during the holidays. Jaye Major applied to get some help with presents this year. She believes people shouldn't be ashamed to ask for a helping hand.
"I feel like you're never too proud to ask, and if your mouth is closed, no one ever knows you need help so I was more than willing to do it. I mean I'm not ashamed. Everyone goes through ups and downs," Major said.
Southern Santa also hosted its first annual Shop With a Firefighter event at Wal-Mart. Shifflett has seen a different version of this fundraiser and wanted to bring it to Houston County.
"A lot of times there's Shop With a Cop, never Shop With a Firefighter," Shifflett said.
Children were given a $100 spending limit to pick out what they wanted for Christmas and went shopping with a firefighter.
Over 50 families went shopping to have a brighter Christmas this year.
If you or your family need help from Southern Santa, you can find them on Facebook at Southern Santa of Houston County.