Originally posted Friday, November 30, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Clark Howard is known as Atlanta's lovable cheapskate but he's not cheap about charity. For the 28th year, he is seeking gifts for 10,000-plus foster children in the state of Georgia for Christmas.
He began this year's journey at a Wal-Mart in Dunwoody Thursday, with a major assist for the fourth year running from The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which handles logistics.
This is a huge undertaking. Wal-Mart is the spot where people can find the foster kids they can buy gifts for. They are not identified by name but simply by age and gender, with a list of three items they'd like to have. You aren't obligated to buy all three gifts. You can mix and match or buy gifts for multiple kids. Or you can just donate money online here.
The number of children who need gifts has doubled in four years, Howard said. He blames this in part on the opioid crisis, which has roiled the country and broken up families. He did say as authorities try to address the problem, the increases are not as sharp as they used to be. But it still means a lot of pain and heartache for these poor kids.
Here are the upcoming Wal-Marts where you'll be able to find foster kids to buy gifts for. Howard isn't at every location (he can't be at two places at once!) but he shows up for several of them. Usually, other Cox Radio and Channel 2 personalities join him. On Thursday, B98.5 morning host Tad Lemire and WSB radio host and traffic reporter Mark Arum made appearances at the Dunwoody Wal-Mart. Even Erick Erickson drove up from Macon to make a cameo.
Friday, Nov. 30:
Roswell | 970 Mansell Road, Roswell 30076 | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1:
Woodstock | 12182 GA-92, Woodstock 30188 | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Peachtree City | 2717 GA-54, Peachtree City 30269 | | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 7:
Alpharetta | 5200 Windward Pkwy, Alpharetta 30004 | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Buford | 3250 Sardis Church Rd, Buford 30519 | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8:
Duluth | 2635 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth 30096 | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cumming | 1500 Market Place Blvd, Cumming 30041 | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9:
Marietta | 210 Cobb Pkwy S, Marietta 30060 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Lilburn | 4004 Lawrenceville Hwy Nw, Lilburn 30047 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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