CHP Christmas ornament is the gift that keeps on giving

Community Helping Place (CHP) revealed its 2023 official Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Christmas Ornament at last week’s City Council meeting just in time for holiday gifting.
The Meaders Bros. Building graces this year’s ornament. The two-story brick building dates from 1914 and originally housed the Post Office on one side and the Bank of Lumpkin County on the other.
Over the years the building has housed a bus station, appliance store, clothing stores, pizza parlor, health food store and restaurant, pharmacy and numerous ice cream and sandwich shops.
Money earned from sale of the ornament supports the many services provided to Lumpkin County residents by CHP, the largest outreach non-profit organization in the county. It’s services are far ranging, including a food pantry; free medical and dental clinics; emergency financial assistance;  clothing; help with baby care and household needs; summer meals for school-aged children who normally rely on school breakfast and lunch; free transportation to medical appointments; counseling and interviews; help with prescriptions; referrals to partner agencies; and more. The past year has seen completion of a new clinic facility that doubled the capacity of the treatment space, as well as the addition of new programs.
Last year, Line said, “We were blessed to be able to offer physical therapy, case management, transportation to specialty care, nutrition education and a Healthy Hearts initiative, in addition to our existing acute and chronic healthcare services, dental program, free counseling, vision clinics and prescription assistance.”
Nearly 14,000 individuals were touched by services provided by CHP last year. Over $1 million in free medical services were provided in the Anne Green Free Clinic. Volunteers, including doctors, nurses, and office help donated 2,386 hours of their time to make the clinic run smoothly and take care of patients.
Nearly 250 families with children enjoyed Christmas dinner and had presents under the tree thanks to CHP’s Spirit of Christmas supporters. Making it all possible includes not only those who so generously donate gifts, food and cash, but the volunteer elves who sort and wrap gifts and fill boxes with food for the holidays, and beyond.
Over 400 children were served through its Summer food program.
Financial assistance totaling more than $64,000 covered rent, gas, power bills and other emergency needs for those facing unforeseen circumstances.
Throughout the year the Food Pantry distributed nearly 240,000 pounds of food to those who would otherwise have gone hungry.
Volunteers are essential to the work CHP does, Line said.
“We estimate we utilize between 330 and 400 volunteers a year, including those from our partner churches and the Greek Life community at the university who show up on work days to our regular program volunteers who commit to weekly or biweekly assignments in the Thrift Store, clinics or Food Pantry. And special event volunteers help with things like Spirit of Christmas or the summer food program for the Well Read Well Fed Outreach Bus,” she said.
The Outreach Bus is a new program started last summer, thanks in part to a grant from the Emerson Collective. It delivers summer reading material and healthy food to families. Lumpkin County Schools, Family Connection, Lumpkin Literacy, The Dahlonega Woman’s Club, The Retired Teachers Association, The Torch Church of God, Christ Family Church and Concord at Dahlonega all partner with CHP in this endeavor. And school board member Lynn Sylvester loaned (and drove) her retired school bus to touch and enhance the lives of so many with the project.  
Also new this year, Seniors and those with disabilities can get help accessing low or no-cost  health benefits at the Food Pantry once a week. Rotarian Marlin Nelson spends one day each week guiding people where and how to apply for ssistance.
In addition to donations from individuals, businesses, churches, civic groups and other organizations, CHP also holds fundraisers and earns money from its Thrift Store.
“The Thrift Store is so important to us because it allows us to meet weekly and monthly expense obligations and fill the gap between our fundraising events and grants,” Line said. “It provides about 35 percent of our annual revenue.”
The annual Christmas ornament is one of those events that make it possible for Lumpkin County neighbors to help their neighbors through CHP’s services. The keepsake tree trimmers are the official Christmas ornament of the City and County, and have become something of a collectors item over the years. They tend to sell out quickly.
“We sold nearly 200 online during the pre-sale this year, and all the ones our board members had are sold. The only place they are available now is at the shops in town that are carrying them,” Line said.
These include The Fudge Factory, Hairworks, Humble Candle, Captain D's, Connie's Ice Cream, Crown & Bear, Cranberry Corners and Studio Jewelers.
And if you miss out on being able to purchase an ornament, there are many other ways to help CHP. The organization can always use volunteers, even if it’s only one day a month. Help is also needed from green-thumbs in its community garden which provides fresh veggies to Food Pantry recipients. You can volunteer for a special event; give in-kind support with gently used clothing and items such as furniture, toys and household goods; shop at the CHP Thrift Store; pick up an extra can of spaghetti sauce, bag of potatoes, jar of peanut butter, can of tuna or other food item when you shop to share with our neighbors through the Food Pantry; or make a financial donation online at communityhelpingplace.org or by sending a check to CHP, P.O. Box 712, Dahlonega.
“Now that our mortgage is paid, all donations go straight to our clients,” Line said.