Foundation set a goal of providing 3,000 new, unwrapped toys to over 500 children

Smithville – Christmas morning will be magical for children in the Smithville area thanks to The Circle of Love Foundation (COL) and the generosity of area residents and businesses. Affiliated with RealSource Title Insurance and Real Estate Closings, The COL came to Tennessee in 2021 to help area children in need.

This will be the 19th year for the COL Foundation’s Toy Drive, but its second year in Tennessee. 

“The Circle of Love Foundation set a goal of providing Christmas to 500 children across Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama,” said Doris Phillips, founder of the nonprofit and President of RealSource. “More importantly, the nonprofit is trying to give children the gift of hope,” said Phillips.

The COL Foundation set a goal of providing 3,000 new, unwrapped toys to over 500 children. 

Will Santa make it to children in need is the primary concern for Phillips.

Now the President of RealSource Title Insurance and Real Estate Closings and COO of Lake Homes Realty, Phillips grew up in poverty. At nine, she cut grass to help take care of her siblings. She remembers a Christmas when she watched a truck come down the driveway delivering presents she knew she would not have otherwise received to her and her siblings.

At that moment, Doris had found her calling in life.

In 2004, after many lessons in the school of hard knocks and professional success in real estate, she founded The Circle of Love Foundation hoping to provide children in need with Christmas and hope.

Phillips knows the deep pain of being forgotten and is committed to preventing it from happening to other children.

The Circle of Love Foundation has touched more than 8,000 children in several shelters and facilities who would have otherwise gone without opening gifts on Christmas morning or basic school supplies.

“Every penny given is a penny donated,” said Phillips. 

The 19th annual Toy Drive continues through Dec. 6, 2022.

On average, parents can spend up to $276 on one child for Christmas under the age of 18, according to Capital Counselor. 

How can you help?

“Donation boxes have been placed throughout the Smithville area to make donating convenient,” said Katie Harris with RealSource Tennessee and The Circle of Love Foundation. “In addition to donating in the boxes, people can visit www.thecircleoflove.orgto shop for children in Tennessee or make a financial donation,” said Harris. 

Toy Drive collection boxes are located at RealSource, LLC (404 W. Public Square), First Bank (200 W. Main Street), Button Willow General Store and Coffee Shop (114 W. Main Street), The Male Room Brotique (102 W. Main Street), S & B Design and Graphics (400 W. Public Square), Keith Blair Law office (406 W. Public Square), Jeremy Trapp Law Office (407 W. Public Square), DeKalb County Florist (313 N. Public Square), and DeKalb County Complex (712 S Congress Blvd.)

“We successfully donated Christmas presents last year and school supplies to area children for the past two years,” said Harris. “We are excited about the opportunities again this Christmas to make a difference,” she said.

All money collected and toys donated are used for children in need in the area.

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