Since 1985, there has been a grassroots effort to make sure that every child in Union County has gifts from Santa on Christmas morning. That effort started out under the name Union County Toys for Tots and operated under the Union County Business and Professional Association. Now, it's called Union County Children's Charities Under the Tree, and this year it will serve 427 children right here at home.

The commons area at Union County High School was filled with love, compassion and the drive to do what's right Dec. 9, as volunteers gathered to help with the Union County Children's Charities Under the Tree gift distribution, formerly known as Union County Toys for Tots. Union County Trustee Gina Buckner, who has chaired the effort for many years, said 492 children were signed up to receive toys this year, up from 480 last year.