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Smyth County social services asks board for help as Santa's Elves donations fall after storms
Summary
Smyth County Department of Social Services told the Board of Supervisors that its Santa's Elves holiday program saw a drop in donations after recent storms and that staff expect a funding gap; DSS requested community support and said it may return to the board with a specific funding request after confirming precise shortfall figures.
Dale Baldwin, representing the Smyth County Department of Social Services, told the Board of Supervisors that the county's long-running Santa's Elves holiday program has seen a notable drop in donations after recent storms and shifting donor priorities. Baldwin said the program, which DSS has overseen since 1972, matches verified needs to donated gifts and funds and works with churches and other organizations to avoid duplicating assistance.
Baldwin provided program figures and a snapshot of need. "We had 718 children last year," she said, adding that 290 of those children required purchases funded by…
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