ABOUT

CARING WITH A PURPOSE

The Empty Stocking Fund (ESF) brings joy to the lives of disadvantaged children by providing toys and gifts during the holiday season and other core essential supplies throughout the year to support positive social and emotional development and academic success.

Through relationships with wholesale distributors and in-kind donations from trusted corporations, the Empty Stocking Fund acquires brand new items in sufficient quantities to offer a variety of age- and gender-appropriate holiday gift choices and core school supplies.

During the holiday season, we invite parents and guardians of children (birth to 18 years old) that qualify for benefits through the state of Georgia to shop for gifts for their children.

As students prepare to go back to school each year, we provide school supplies to those who need them most. Additionally, ESF’s Free Teacher Store equips teachers from local Title 1 schools (schools with 80% or more of their students receiving free or reduced meals) with school and classroom supplies.

With a small staff, the Empty Stocking Fund relies on generous support from our corporate partners, individual donors, and volunteers to serve thousands of children and families annually. We invite you to join us as we continue to bring joy to disadvantaged children.

GIVING SINCE 1927

1927

The Empty Stocking Fund is started by a small group of employees of The Atlanta Georgian, the predecessor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1931

The Empty Stocking Fund joins forces with the Atlanta Junior Chamber of Commerce, who took on the responsibility of conducting the annual drive

1932

The Unorganized Cheerful Givers from WSB Radio begin providing gifts to needy children

1939

The Atlanta Georgian merges with The Atlanta Journal and WSB Radio; WSB’s Unorganized Cheerful Givers joins forces with The Empty Stocking Fund

1943

The Empty Stocking Fund opens its first toy store where parents can shop for their children’s Christmas gifts

2019

The Empty Stocking Fund expands its reach with the addition of a school supply distribution program.

I am a single parent of two boys. I work at a daycare making $9.50/hr. I have rent to pay, water, lights, phone, and a car note. I wasn't able to save anything. Santa’s Village was and still is important to me, because it gives my kids a sense of hope and the assurance that Santa hasn’t forgotten about them.”
"ESF helps me put a smile on my kid’s face!”
“The experience far exceeded my expectations. The staff was friendly and extremely helpful, and everyone made me feel welcome. The selection was of excellent quality and was given in generous proportion. Thank you for helping my family during such a hard time."
I was a single mother of three children fleeing domestic violence. My spirits were down and I was so focused on rebuilding that I didn’t care about Christmas until I met with my social worker and she referred me to The Empty Stocking Fund. It relieved so much stress and made my kids so happy!”
“ESF has been here every single year for my grandkids, and I appreciate them so very much because sometimes it was all that they got.”
"I’m a single mom of four with two jobs. Without ESF my kids would not have gotten any gifts.”

Staff

STAFF

Along with the generous support of our donors and volunteers, The Empty Stocking Fund functions smoothly thanks to the hard, unfailing work of our team members who are passionate about helping children in our community.

Gregory Hill

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Greg is deeply committed to creating lasting, positive change for communities, particularly for children and families.

Most recently, Greg served as the founding Executive Director of Aurora Day Camp, where he established and led programs that annually provide free summer, year-round, and in-hospital support to over 2,500 children with cancer and their siblings across greater Atlanta.

Greg has a background in large-scale humanitarian relief, having led the Refugee & Migration Unit at Save the Children. During his tenure, he managed a $25M annual portfolio, overseeing strategic partnerships and programs with a primary focus on child protection and education. He has been deployed to critical operations and logistics across the globe including Ethiopia, Iraq, South Sudan, and throughout the US. And now, he is leveraging his experiences and expertise to help ESF serve the families that rely on us to lighten their loads.

Edwin “Coach” Cook

WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE

Coach is a proud Navy veteran who joined The Empty Stocking Fund team in 2021. With a rich background as a former paraprofessional for Atlanta Public Schools, he has been a youth sports coach for over 20 years, inspiring countless young athletes to strive for excellence. Coach lives by his favorite saying, “Never be afraid to be great,” a mantra that reflects his commitment to empowering others and fostering a spirit of resilience and determination. His diverse experiences and unwavering passion for mentorship make him a valuable asset in both the workplace and the community.

Joshua Jackson

WAREHOUSE & INVENTORY MANAGER

Josh joined The Empty Stocking Fund team in the spring of 2021.

Brenda James

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Brenda retired in 2001 from BellSouth with 32 years of service. She worked in various jobs during her tenure with BellSouth, including administrative and accounting positions. She has given back to the community through 25+ years of volunteer service with BellSouth and 10 years with Gwinnett Medical Hospital. Brenda joined The Empty Stocking Fund in 2005 as a seasonal employee and is an integral part of the ESF team. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Joy Graham

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Joy officially joined the team in February 2022 after volunteering during the 2021 holiday season. In her role, she manages all aspects of fundraising and development, working closely with sponsor groups to help achieve their employee engagement goals and donors to help fulfill their philanthropic desires.

Joy’s nonprofit career began at the Metro Atlanta YMCA. There, she advanced from the accounting department to the development team, eventually serving as Donor Relations Manager. Throughout her development career (spanning nearly 25 years), Joy has supported athletes and celebrities in managing their foundations and has worked with various nonprofits to help improve the quality of life for others.

Joy genuinely enjoys her work with ESF, appreciating the communal approach that weaves through all aspects of the organization—from volunteers and corporate partners to donors and the families we serve.

La’Toya Hubbard

BOOKKEEPER

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA—an original Grady Baby!—La’Toya graduated from Georgia State University and currently resides in East Point, GA. She is a proud mother of three sons, who keep her on her toes and connected to the needs of others.

Coming from a place of service, La’Toya finds great fulfillment in helping to build stronger communities. After volunteering and being impressed by the professionalism of the team, she eagerly joined The Empty Stocking Fund in 2022.

In her spare time, La’Toya enjoys movies, particularly tearjerkers, believing that “crying cleanses the soul.” Her passion for storytelling and connection enriches her life both personally and professionally.

Manda Hunt

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Manda is the former executive director of The Empty Stocking Fund who has rejoined the team to manage operations. In her current role, she oversees all program services activities, including product sourcing and purchasing, strategic partnership development, and warehouse management functions.

With nearly 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, and small business management, Manda’s journey with The Empty Stocking Fund began in 2004 when she was a consultant with Jackson Spalding, one of the Southeast’s leading communications management firms. As the account lead for the firm’s semi-pro-bono work with ESF, she successfully led the organization’s communications and fundraising initiatives. After leaving Jackson Spalding in 2005 to serve as the Director of Investor Relations and Marketing for MagnetBank, a startup commercial bank in Utah, Manda joined the board of directors of The Empty Stocking Fund.

In 2008, Manda founded Lenox Communications, an independent consultancy, during which she continued to support The Empty Stocking Fund’s development activities on a contractual basis. When the executive director of 15 years announced his retirement in 2010, Manda stepped into the role, leading the organization through a period of growth and innovation.

Originally from the Tampa Bay area, Manda is a proud alumna of Florida State University. Her extensive background and deep commitment to the mission of The Empty Stocking Fund make her an invaluable asset to the organization as she continues to drive its impact in the community.

Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Empty Stocking Fund is governed by an independent board of directors comprised of community and business leaders representing Atlanta’s most prominent and highly respected organizations.

Directors serve as the guardians and stewards of the organization, ensuring our mission is carried out as articulated in our Articles of Incorporation and that all financial activities are legal and proper according to federal and state requirements. They set the course for the organization from year to year by establishing broadly stated goals and objectives, supporting the organization’s fundraising activities, and enhancing our public image.

Officers

Kristine Jordan, Chairman

Executive Director – Jabian Consulting

Brian Nealon, Vice-Chairman

Director, IT Audit & Compliance – Genuine Parts Company

Joseph Manusakis, Treasurer

Partner – KPMG, LLP

Beth Little, Secretary

Director – PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Directors

Karin Bursa

Founder & CEO – NIRAKIO

Casey Choate

Sr. Director, Merchandising Execution – The Home Depot

Jennifer Cowart

Senior Labor & Employment Counsel – Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Nate Cunningham

Owner/Consultant – Cunningham Consulting Services, LLC

Gerard Dash

Principal – JM Search

Susan Guimbellot

Director, Revenue Management Product Delivery – IHG Hotels & Resorts

Rawlings Joerres

Vice President, Asset and Wealth Management – Goldman Sachs

Sandeep Kharidhi, Vice Chairman

Chief Product Officer – Risk Management Association

Jaime McMurtrie

Director, Development and Community Relations – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sara Miller

Partner – Kilpatrick Townsend

Christina Moylan

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Events & Philanthropy – Newell Brands

C. J. Stewart

Co-Founder – L. E. A. D. Center for Youth

Bill Vogel

President and CEO – Montag & Caldwell

Faith Walker

Residential Customer Service Manager – Georgia Power/Southern Company

Advisory Board

ADVISORY BOARD

The Empty Stocking Fund is counseled by an advisory board comprised of community and business leaders representing Atlanta’s most prominent and highly respected organizations.

Darryl Lesure

Manager, Supply Chain – Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Dennis Lockhart

Monica Kaufman Pearson

Kevin Riley

Editor-in-Chief – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rachel Sprecher

Executive Director, Office of Partnerships and Development – Atlanta Public Schools

Will Williams

National Managing Partner, Tax – KPMG, LLP