Rather than adopting one family for Christmas this year, the office of Jay Geddings, Edward Jones financial advisor, of Columbus, set up a toy collection box and collected toys to be distributed to many children in the Adopt-A-Family program at Steps to HOPE.

Alexandra Adams, Emery Viehman, and Beth Head delivered the enormous box full of toys for children of all ages that were donated by the office’s employees and clients.

Steps to HOPE has been hosting the Adopt-A-Family program for well over a decade. It is meant to make sure that all area children and families can have a merry Christmas, despite hard financial times they may be facing.

Thanks to donations from individuals, groups, organizations and businesses, along with the Share the Joy grant from the Polk County Community Foundation and proceeds and gifts from the Polk County Toy Run, Adopt-A-Family continues to be a successful testament to the generosity and heart of the community, representatives said.

Steps to HOPE is the domestic violence and sexual assault center located in Columbus serving and educating western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

Those suffering from abuse or know someone who is, or who are interested in learning more about the organization may call 828-894-2340.

– Submitted by Paula Ravan