Appalachian Christmas Project

This is year 26 of Charles and Sharon Atkins partnering with the local Men and Women of Action and the Church of God to give back to the communities of the Appalachian Mountains. Most of these years have been spent between the states of Kentucky and West Virginia. However, this year is an outreach to the people of Marshall, North Carolina, located in Madison county. Marshall is about a half hour north of Asheville. It is also located near Old Fort, Burnsville, and Spruce Pines. Spruce Pines is where Charles was raised. This is the area that was so heavily devastated during the flooding of hurricane Helene in September 2024.

Charles and Sharon have been participating in the project for the last quarter of a century, but since owning PuroClean, Charles has taken the PuroClean franchise with him. Son Harrison and daughter Breleigh have been assisting with the project for as long as their parents have. The general manager Jorge Villatoro and his family have been involved for all of the five years they have been part of our organization. Business development representative Cynthia Penny has volnteered two years, and this will be technician/mechanic Jacob Rhodes’ third year. Administrative assistant Caroline Pribanich will volunteer this year. We all believe in giving back to the communities of our area.

This is truly a volunteer mission as each participant is expected to be in attendance fom Sunday before Thanksgiving through Saturday following the holiday and to pay for his/her own way. Volunteers typically range in number from 45 – 55 and come from multiple states. This is a week of setting up pop-up shops where locals can choose coats for every family member, household items, other types of clothing, blankets and anything that can be donated. Food boxes with enough food for a Thanksgiving meal and beyond are prepared ahead of time and given out on Wednesday as well. These shops will be set up on Wednesday. The team will have Thanksgiving lunch together and then begin getting ready for a Christmas Winter Wonderland as the facilities are decorated on Thursday and Friday. Families come back in on Saturday morning to choose age-appropriate gifts, stuffed animals, stockings, a visit with Santa and receive a gift from Santa.

The project is led by Carl and Jane Roberts and has been led by them since the first Appalachian Christmas began. They along with the other volunteers spend their entire year getting ready for next year’s event. The food items and new clothes along with Christmas gifts are purchased and donated throughout the year. Carl and Jane are part of the Men and Women of Action of the Church of God, and they drive up from south Alabama. Jane is very organized and leads the volunteers with excellence. We lovingly call her General Jane, and when she speaks everyone respectully listens and dives into action accordingly.

This year we have specific needs that you can be involved in giving. We do provide new items to the area families. if you’re interested in partnering with us you can contact the office at 423-790-3500. Specific items we need are listed below:

• Hoodies – all sizes
• Coats – all sizes
• Clothing – all sizes
• Toilet tissue
• Paper towels
• Diapers
• Brooms and mops
• Plastic/paper tableware – plates, cutlery, cups, napkins
• Trashbags
• Cleaning supplies
• Adult pull-ups
• Blankets

As you can see, the need is great. Any donations of money or specific new items are very much appreciated as volunteers must help supply the needs.