Local Kids Will Have A Very Merry Christmas Thanks to MARTA’s Holiday Shop

The parents submit information ahead of time to verify their eligibility.

At this time of year, Tormeka Smith is in a position no parent wants to be in.

“Because I recently lost my job a couple of months ago and I was kind of worry like, how am I going to get Christmas.  And trying to explain to a 10-year old that you really not going to get anything was kind of hard.”

Smith also has a five-year old daughter.

Thanks to MARTA, both kids will get gifts including a bike for her son.

Like many of the parents at MARTA’s Holiday Shop, the recession or other economic factors determine not just how many, but if any gifts will be opened Christmas morning.

Lanorris Evans is a father of four.

His son has no idea the new blue and white framed bike with a black seat will be hidden in the garage until Christmas day

“With the extra help, I mean, I think they’re going to have a blessed Christmas, I think they’ll be happy.”

MARTA’s Employees’ Charity Club funds the program.

New CEO and general manager Keith Parker praises employees because for many, he adds, they haven’t even received a raise in five years.

“It shows, I think, a giving spirit. It shows that our employees care so much about our customers and potential customers that they’re willing to dig deep in their own pocketbooks when they’ve seen tough financial times themselves and really show real care about our entire Atlanta community.”