GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Virginia Hall’s cellphone never stops ringing, and each time she reassures desperate parents their children will have gifts under the Christmas tree.

The 41st J.P. Hall Children’s Charities Christmas Party will be on Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Clay County Fairgrounds. As in the past two years, families will drive through the Cattleman’s Arena and get a bag of toys for each child 14 and younger in the vehicle. There also will be hundreds of bicycles available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

And it’s free.

To make it happen, however, the charities that’s committed year-round to improving the lives of underprivileged children of Clay County rely on donations and new toys. Hall, the charity’s CEO, said the need for services during the holidays has never been greater.

“Toy donations are going well, but we certainly can use more monetary donations, but things are going well,” she said. “We're excited. We've had a ton of phone calls and inquiries about the Christmas Party from families wanting to know how to get assistance this year.”

The current economic climate has created a greater need for assistance, Hall said. And like every year in the past, she said no child will go home empty-handed.

A year ago the charity provided toys and bicycles to more than 1,100 children. Hall expects that number to grow this year.

“People who are struggling with the current economics of our country,” she said.

Each bag of toys costs about $35, so residents can make donations at jphallcharities.com. “When someone donates $35 for one bag of toys, that’s wonderful,” Hall said.

New, unwrapped toys can be left in marked boxes at the following locations:

• Clay Today, 3513 U.S. Highway 17, Fleming Island

• Elks Lodge, 702 Orange Ave., Green Cove Springs

• Fleming Island Chiropractor, 1835 E. East West Pkwy, Fleming Island

• Attorney Grady Williams, 1543 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park

• Hagan Ace Hardware, 1022 Blanding Blvd, Middleburg

• Magnolia Hair, 36 Magnolia Lane, Green Cove Springs

• Orange Park Pediatrics, 2140 Smith St., Orange Park

• Orange Park Pediatrics, 6353 Argyle Forest Blvd, Suite, 4, Argyle

• Orange Park Pediatrics, 1747 Baptist Clay Dr., suite 110, Fleming Island

• Godard School, 2280 Village Square, Fleming Island

• The Corner Pocket, 14, Magnolia Ave., Green Cove Springs

• Roger That Wings & More, 232 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs

• South State Bank, 1440 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park

• John D. Verville, DDS, 7055 U.S. Highway 17, Fleming Island

• Thunderbolt Elementary, 2020 Thunderbolt Road, Fleming Island

• Middleburg High, 3750 County Road 220, Middleburg

• Cricket Wireless, 401 Ferris St., Green Cove Springs

• Twisted Scissors Salon, 1845 E. East West Pkwy., Suite 1, Fleming Island

• Gold Rush BNI, 2260 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island

• Re/Max Sterling, 1845 E. East West Pkwy., Suite 14, Fleming Island

For more information, visit the J.P. Hall Children’s Charities Facebook page.