When the gas tank hits “Empty,” pull in for a fill-up, a treat, and a great cause at Walthall Exxon at 4433 Forsyth Road in Macon on Friday, December 18th. Ten cents of every gallon of gas purchased on 12/18 and ten percent of all inside sales will benefit The Merrie Christmas Project. The Merrie Christmas Project is a fundraising effort aimed at providing gifts, holiday décor, and food to families in need during the Christmas season. In its second year, the United Way of Central Georgia will again provide many of these Christmas blessings to hundreds of families across the 14-county Central Georgia community.

“On the behalf of the local families that receive gifts, holiday decorations and food from the Merrie Christmas Project, we want to thank the Walthall family for their generosity during this holiday season,” said George McCanless, President & CEO of United Way of Central Georgia. “Unfortunately, our most financially distressed neighbors are being affected disproportionately by COVID, meaning even more children are faced with the prospect of missing Christmas completely. Please join the Walthall family and our Merrie Christmas Project to help us reach as many of these families as possible.”

In addition to the sales proceed donations, Santa Claus will be coming to Walthall Oil Company on his sleigh (Mobil 1 Racecar) for photo opportunities with the kids. Santa will be available for pictures from 3 pm – 6 pm. Walthall employees and Santa will be practicing social distancing during the event.

The media is invited to attend and encouraged to promote The Merrie Christmas Project gas day!

United Way of Central Georgia is a leading funder of health and human service organizations that have a measurable impact in fourteen Central Georgia counties and impact the lives of one in four local people annually. The annual campaign supports 43 programs along with 29 program partners. United Way initiatives include READ UNITED, MISSION UNITED, PINK PROMISE UNITED, RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), Familywize, FIRST STEPS, myfreetaxes.com, Volunteer UNITED, The Merrie Christmas Project, Parents as Teachers, the Golden Eagle Awards, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. United Way of Central Georgia also funds a free, confidential seven-days a week, 24-hours a day information and referral line serving all of Central Georgia. Dial 2-1-1 to find or give help. For more information about what United Way of Central Georgia is doing in the community, visit www.unitedwaycg.org.