ATLANTA -

Stacey Ellis of Jim Ellis Automotive Group says her company wants to bring smiles to disadvantaged children who deserve some joy in their lives.

“It’s been a daunting year for many families, so it is more important than ever for us to make a meaningful difference this year and help put a smile on a child’s face as we spread some holiday cheer,” said Ellis, who is vice president of the company, in a news release.

Jim Ellis Automotive Group is helping to provide some of that cheer, recently announcing the return of its annual Holiday Giving Campaign.

The campaign is a group-wide sales event that will benefit the Empty Stocking Fund. That is a nonprofit organization that provides toys and gifts to disadvantaged children during the holiday season. It also provides school supplies across several Georgia counties throughout the year.

All 19 Jim Ellis family-owned-and-operated dealerships from Nov. 27 to Dec. 31 will donate a portion of every sale of all new or pre-owned vehicles to the Empty Stocking Fund.

With the collective donation, children in need will receive toys and gifts along with essential supplies throughout the year, which Jim Ellis Automotive says support positive social and emotional development along with academic success.

For Jim Ellis Automotive Group, participating in philanthropic efforts in the communities they serve is tradition. The company is celebrating 50 years in business next year. This year’s Holiday Giving Campaign is the group’s fourth consecutive year of holiday giving to organizations that care for children and families.

With the donation from Jim Ellis Automotive Group, Empty Stocking Fund estimates that more than 2,000 children will receive with gift packages for Christmas. Each child will receive two gift items, a book, a package of socks, an educational item, and a hygiene item.

“When customers purchase their vehicle from any of our 19 family-owned-and-operated Jim Ellis dealerships, they can enjoy the additional benefit of knowing they are shopping for a worthy cause,” Jim Ellis Automotive stated.

“We are so grateful to be this year’s beneficiary of the Jim Ellis Holiday Giving Campaign,” Empty Stocking Fund executive director Manda Hunt said.

Hunt continued, “We anticipate an increase in the need for our services this holiday season and are prepared to provide 40,000 children with gift packages. The Jim Ellis Automotive Group's generosity will help us reach this goal and bring a little joy to metro Atlanta families.”

Each year, the Empty Stocking Fund serves metro Atlanta children in need, with distribution of nearly 200,000 gift items. Children from birth through age 12 living in the metro Atlanta area and surrounding counties are eligible to receive gifts from the fund.

To register your child or children or to check for eligibility to receive gifts from The Empty Stocking Fund, visit www.emptystockingfund.org/holidays.