On December 15th, at Vickery Village, Lily’s Annual Toy Drive will revisit the citizens of Forsyth in hopes of honoring a young girl’s wish for the seventh year in a row. 

Collaborating with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a toy drive is being hosted and is collecting any unwrapped gifts excluding glitter, stuffed animals, or violent toys. From 3-6 pm, volunteers will be accepting presents at Vickery Village, courtesy of Live a Yes Foundation and the hospital.                

This year, the Live a Yes Foundation will supervise the gathering and looks forward to adding an artisan market, holiday activities, and special performances to the list of entertainment during the event. 

The charity’s fun-loving spirit is inspired by Lily Anderson, a cancer patient lost on December 15th, 2012. During her time at the hospital, 

Anderson was known for her spunky attitude and zest for life. 

Jennifer Anderson describes her daughter with the word, “glitter” and marvels at the people Lily inspired. Among them is Beth Bursema, director of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta foundations. 

The director shares the 11-year old’s popularity within the hospital and admires the young girl.

Just before her death, Lily recited a wish that she wanted her family to help carry out.

“I want to make this donation because when I get older, I want to look back and know that I made people in the hospital happy. I don’t need any toys or what-not. All I need is to know that I did something great for someone who needed it. I know that God led me to do this and His light is shining so bright through this. As I think back, my greatest moment of last year, and of my whole life, was the day that I gave all of those toys to the sick children and their families.”                                       

Ever since then, the Anderson family has vowed to honor their daughter with the toy drive. Because of the circumstances, the drive is particularly geared towards teens and anticipates many donations this year.  

If interested in participating, please visit www.liveayes.org for more information about the event and present drop off locations. Let’s leave some “glitter” this Christmas season!