The room at the Kimberly City Hall was set to receive visitors, including a large rocking chair for one who’s famous for a red suit, white beard and large belly. There’s another for his wife.

But the gifts around the Christmas tree aren’t quite as numerous as in the past.

The city’s gift drive for needy children didn’t receive as many donations as last year, while those seeking help were more numerous, according to Assistant Town Clerk Mona Hendrix.

“We raised about $3,200 this year, which is way down from last year,” Hendrix said. “We had well over $5,000 last year.”

Blame the bad economy and high unemployment for both the downturn in donations and the upturn in requests, she said. In addition, neighboring Morris did not have a drive of their own as in years past.

This year, 23 children will benefit from gift donations, which were handed out at a party Friday night. All are age 12 or younger, and this year’s beneficiaries come from as far away as Pinson. Some of them are in such dire straits that Hendrix tears up when talking about them.

“We’ve got one who’s 3, a little bitty thing who’s had two open-heart surgeries and has to have another,” Hendrix said. “She’s being raised by her grandmother, who can’t work. We’ve got two children whose grandparents have custody of. The older child was over 12 and we couldn’t help him, so Officer Steven Barlow adopted him.”

The city takes applications each October. Applicants are interviewed and have to show proof of income, or lack of it. Because of the economy, the city had to say no to those who have received help for the past two years, which is part of the reason the number of children is down from 57 last Christmas.

“We’re like a bunch of Santa Clauses out there shopping for these kids,” Hendrix said.

The drive is organized by city employees who take donations throughout the year. A roadblock in front of City Hall accounts for much of the money, as well as a couple of yard sales.

There’s also help from groups such as T.P. Miller’s Bar and Grill, which collects money for the drive through the year, and from Dollar General in Morris. Mortimer Jordan High School’s faculty and staff also collects toys to add to the bounty.