Lake Oconee Community Church has announced its second annual Holiday House will open November 1, 2010, at 6183 Lake Oconee Parkway.

LOCC’s Holiday House is a non-profit Christmas store selling handmade, recycled and refurbished, and new holiday decorations and gifts of all types — decorated trees, ornaments, wreaths, Santas, angels, table decorations, garlands … anything Christmas!

Operated by Lake Oconee Community Church, the 2010 Holiday House is the place to buy new and meticulously refurbished Christmas decorations and gifts. All proceeds go to support needy local families through various local charities. Last year, LOCC’s 2009 Holiday House raised more than $6,500 for charities in both Greene and Putnam County.

“Everyone at Lake Oconee Community Church is excited about providing a merrier Christmas for many local families through the generous support of the Holiday House by Greene and Putnam County residents,” said Linda-Welde Fossier, director of the 2010 Holiday House.

This year’s Holiday House is located in the Lake Oconee Village at 6183 Lake Oconee Parkway — approximately eight miles south of I-20 on the west side of GA-44 between CVS pharmacy and the China Garden. The Holiday House will be open everyday from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30, except for Thanksgiving Day. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Visitors to the Holiday House can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or hot spiced tea and homemade cookies in a festive Christmas atmosphere while they shop for home decorations or gifts for family and friends.

People may immediately begin donating new or no longer used Christmas items at the Lake Oconee Welcome Center located at 5820 Lake Oconee Parkway next to Boats With Gusto on the east side of Lake Oconee Parkway (GA-44). Items can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Various Holiday House events are planned for November, including a special auction of numerous ornate handmade decorations and a children’s photo session with Santa. Watch this paper for announcements of upcoming dates and times.

The Lake Oconee Community Church invites everyone to come and shop at this year’s Holiday House to help make this Christmas a Happier Holiday Season for those in need.

For more information, contact: Tom Herring by calling (512) 917-8268 or via e-mail at tom.herring.0950@gmail.com or contact Toni Furino by calling (706) 816-2619 or e-mail toni@dock1039.com.