A Great Gift Idea

The number of homeless people in Atlanta in September was estimated at about 6,000, compared with about 2,800 earlier this year, according to the AJC. It expects the number to increase further, citing a weakening economy that is forcing a growing number of companies out of businesses.

''With worsening economic conditions, more and more marginal workers are losing their jobs, resulting in an increase of homeless people,'' the city said.

Civic groups and other volunteer groups also said there are more people who need free meals on the streets.

Did you know that 90% of them need a new, warm coat each winter because they have no place to keep one? We need to not only help the homeless children but also the growing number of single moms; thousands of single moms are forced to make a choice between buying shoes or a winter coat or blankets and putting food on the table, or meeting other basic survival needs.

Each winter, many companies collect new, used, and gently used winter coats and distributes them to hundreds of men, women, and children who would otherwise go without. One company delivered the coats as part of our Halloween festival to the Seven Bridges Shelter in Smyrna enlisting several Brownie Girl Scouts to help. Since there are so many new homeless children everyday we will have several coat drives over the winter. It was a great event for the children who celebrated Halloween and got a new coat and were able to keep their pride and self esteem.

There are so many ways to help. What a perfect gift idea - helping the homeless and giving Uncle Bert a great cup of coffee.

How you can help:

Buy Some Coffee: purchase a friend a Christmas gift - the ultimate coffee gift basket: many coffee companies now offers nice gift baskets, monthly coffee delivery, a nice assortment of coffee and a coffee club and give the proceeds to help children. Fair trade coffee also helps children in foreign countries. Purchase someone a nice gourmet coffee gift and all the profits will go to a homeless child. If you join the coffee club you can help year round as will the monthly coffee club.

If you like get your church or corporation to buy the coffee on a larger scale and help the entire homeless shelter. If they buy enough coffee they can even decide where the money goes and they can help homeless children of their choice. Do you think their clients would like to receive a nice holiday basket of coffee knowing they have helped some homeless children in the process? Or you can honor your client with a donation in their name to the Jars of Clay or Seven Bridges Shelter.

Buy a homeless child a new coat or pair of shoes. For a small amount of money you can support a homeless child with a new coat or a new pair of shoes. Amazing for only a mere $300 you can provide shoes for an entire shelter.

Donate a coat - Please round up your extra blankets and jackets and take them to a nearby shelter. Even better yet have a neighborhood coat drive or a company coat drive enlisting your fellow employees to get involved and bring their coats in. Become the inspiration and get your friends and neighbors to help.

Make a financial donation - Providing so many coats each winter, as well as our year-round projects, requires an enormous amount of resources. Your contribution will help us deliver many coats to the homeless children in our area.

How satisfying will that cup of coffee taste knowing who it has helped.