'Tis the season to give and get involved

Are you passionate about trees or the environment? Looking for volunteer opportunities in Smyrna? Trees are a vital part of our community. The Smyrna Tree Board, a group of caring volunteers that is committed to increasing and maintaining a healthy urban forest canopy in Smyrna, is seeking volunteers.

Trees provide many benefits that improve our quality of living and increase the overall value of our property. The Smyrna Tree Board is looking for volunteers to help with various projects throughout the year, including helping with tree planting projects, graphic design and layout for handouts and brochures, grant applications, and public outreach and media relations.

You don't have to be a tree expert to help, just be willing to share your time and talents. The tree board will fill you in on everything you need and want to know.

See here to learn more about volunteer opportunities. 

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Join city of Smyrna employees in the drive for canned goods and coats for through Dec. 20 by donating canned food items along with/or coats and/or sweaters in all sizes (infant through adult).

Donation barrels are in the lobby of , the , the , the and the .

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The Rotary Club of Smyrna is working to provide bikes for deserving youngsters in our community. They’re working with Cobb Christmas to make it happen by gathering resources for a big upcoming bike buy. If all goes as planned, 40 new bicycles will be delivered to Jim Miller Park/Cobb Christmas next Tuesday afternoon. If you'd like to sponsor a bike for a child at Christmas, contact the Smyrna Rotary Club at 770-850-1640.  

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Speaking of Cobb Christmas, they are a non-profit, non-denominational organization, dedicated to helping the low-income and working-poor families of Cobb County during the holiday season. The organization is run 100 percent by volunteers, allowing them to invest the majority of funds we raise each year directly into our client services.  

Their "The Night Before Cobb Christmas" is a look behind-the-scenes event being held in their "toy warehouse" at Jim Miller Park next Thursday, Dec. 15 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

This is when their warehouse is full of toys, food, stockings and other gifts. The very next morning, on Friday, Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. the first client appointments are scheduled and nearly 20,000 toys, 2,000 boxes of food and other gifts will be distributed by noon on Sunday, Dec. 18.

What better time to get people together to celebrate all that has been accomplished this year to make their 48th annual holiday assistance program a reality, and once again, a success. If you've never been to the warehouse, never dropped off a toy or volunteered, then this is a must-attend event.

Enjoy a festive casual atmosphere with food, drinks, cash bar, entertainment and a brief program on Cobb Christmas. For any information or questions about the event please e-mail thenightbefore@cobbchristmas.net.

Tickets are $20 each (100 percent tax deductible) and a donated new toy would also be appreciated. Enjoy a festive casual atmosphere with food, drinks, cash bar, entertainment and a brief program on Cobb Christmas. Buy tickets here.