Towns Democrats donate hundreds of school supplies to Family Connection

Standing with Family Connection Executive Director Angela Hunnicutt, second from left, in front of shelves and boxes filled with the hundreds of items donated by Towns County Democrats to Towns County Schools Family Connection are county Democratic Party officers, from left, Tammy Bates of Hiawassee, vice chair; Suzanne Carter of Young Harris, secretary; and Kate Bennett of Hiawassee, treasurer. 

Towns County Democrats donated $1,262 worth of school supplies to Towns County Schools Family Connection on July 29.  The supplies included 960 much-need earbuds and 150 headphones, as well as 96 backpacks and 120 three-ring binders.

The donated items were among items distributed to Towns County Schools families at this year’s Family Connection Back to School Bash on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Macedonia Baptist Church.  The annual event also featured haircuts for students and distribution of clothing and shoes.

Speaking at the local Democrats’ monthly meeting on July 19, Angela Hunnicutt, executive director for Family Connection, noted that with some 1,000 Towns students in all grades doing so many of their lessons on laptops, they need headphones (for students in grades K-2) and earbuds to help them concentrate and limit distractions.

“We get requests for [earbuds] every single day until the end of the school year,” she commented.

Family Connection brings community partners together to improve outcomes for Towns County children and families through collaborative, data-driven decision-making and locally developed solutions. It is funded 100 percent through donations.

According to Hunnicutt, some 80 percent of Towns County students qualify for free or reduce-priced lunches, Honeycutt reported, and 18.5 percent of Towns County families are living in poverty.  Of the 5,924 households in Towns County in 2024, 29 percent were categorized as ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), that is, earning more than the federal poverty level but less than the basic cost of living for the county, making them unable to afford household essentials such as housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and a basic smartphone plan.

Hunnicutt said Family Connection’s in-school food pantry called “Tribe Treats” has been incredibly successful in not only reducing food insecurity but also in making the Family Connection office a less-scary place.  She explained that students don’t want their friends knowing they are going to the Family Connection office because of the stigma that might be associated with seeking food assistance.  “But kids really like treats,” she said.

Operation Christmas provides toys, clothing, and shoes for economically challenged students and families at Christmas.  “People notice when you come back to school with new shoes,” Hunnicutt commented.  Some 300 students were served through this program last Christmas.  Collections for Christmas 2026 will begin in October.

Participation in Family Connection’s mentor program tripled during the 2025-2026 school year, according to mentorship director Karen Nicholson.  The mentor program brings “a consistent adult into these children’s lives who asks about how things are going,” she commented.

Mentors and students in grades 2 through 12 participate in everything from Legos or discussions about current events to puzzles, quilting, and crafts in weekly one-hour sessions at the Family Connection office.

The mentor program is always looking for more volunteers, Nicholson said. “You will think that you are going to make a difference in a child’s life, but what you will find is that they make a difference in your life.”