Any Good Samaritans in Paulding?

Have you experienced or heard of the contribution of what some have referred to as “Secret Santas” or “layaway angels”? Share your stories with Patch.

A store in Providence, R.I., recently saw an anonymous individual pay off the layaway balances of eight strangers. During a week earlier this month in D'Iberville, Miss., 35 layaway bills were paid off at a Walmart. We’re wondering if there have been any such stories in Dallas or Hiram. Have you experienced or heard of the contribution of what some have referred to as “Secret Santas” or “layaway angels”—those who pay off the layaway balance belonging to someone they don’t know? Has a Good Samaritan helped you in some other way this holiday season? Share your stories in the comments or email them to Editor Jon Gargis at jon.gargis@patch.com and we may follow up with you in the coming days.

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The Weekender: Santa's Workshop, Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes

It's the last weekend to tell Santa what you want for Christmas.

Live Nativity When: 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: Saint Teresa's Episcopal Church, 5725 Fords Rd. NW, Acworth | Get directions Why Go: People who have attended in previous years have experienced “many really powerful ... moments,” organizer Paula Flippin said. Price: Free Kennesaw State University Women's Basketball vs. Georgia Southern When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: KSU Convocation Center, 1000 Chastain Rd. NW, Kennesaw | Get directions   Why Go: The home team needs your support. Price: $6 | Buy tickets Santa's Workshop When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Marietta Square, 50 North Park Square NE, Marietta | Get directions Why Go: This is your last weekend to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. He …

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Last Day To Enter Patch's 'Deck the House' Contest

Share your photos of your house decked out for the holidays by midnight tonight and you may help Paulding County Schools win $100,000.

The Weekender: White Christmas, Charity Music Fest, Ugly Sweater Contest

Your weekend guide also includes a Christmas Cantata and a shopping extravaganza.

The Atlanta Lyric Theatre Presents White Christmas When: 8 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday Where:  Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square NE, Marietta | Get directions Why Go: It's a classic, timeless musical. Price: Tickets start at $25 | Buy tickets Holiday Shopping Extravaganza When: 11 a.m. Saturday Where: Christine's School of Dance, 1305 Cedarcrest Road, Dallas | Get directions Why Go: You can shop for everything from fudge and rice warmers to bird feeders and scarves at this event. Price: While admission is free, don't forget to bring a few dollars to support the vendors at the extravaganza. 22nd Annual ROCK 4 TOTS Charity Music Fest When: 3 p.m. Saturday Where: Reds Timbers, 730 Concord Road …

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Is This Home the Best “Decked” House in the Country?

Here's Topher H.'s entry into the "Deck the House" contest. Share your photos of your house decked out for the holidays, and enter to win $100,000 for your local school district.

Patch 101

How Can Nonprofits Use Patch?

In our latest edition of “Patch 101,” we share how nonprofit officials and volunteers can post events, photos and calls for action to be seen by Dallas-Hiram Patch readers.

It’s December, which means many nonprofits are in the midst of community projects such as toy drives or feed the hungry events, while others are soliciting donations before the end of the 2012 tax year. If you represent or volunteer with a Paulding-based nonprofit or one that serves the Dallas-Hiram area, you have many ways with which you can utilize Dallas-Hiram Patch to get the word out: 1. Start a blog about your nonprofit or its campaign(s). Maybe you’re with a lesser-known nonprofit in the area, or perhaps you perform a service or hold an event that few people are aware of. Or maybe you want the public to know why they should donate to your cause before the end of the year. One way to educate the public is by posting a blog. Clicking …

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'Mommy Market' Set for Downtown Hiram Today

Shoppers can support local and "mommy-owned" businesses in Hiram this afternoon.

Dallas Walmart Hosting Toy, Coat Drive Today

The store is holding the drive to benefit The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta.

The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta is partnering with Walmart stores across the metro Atlanta area, including the one in Dallas, to host a “Fill the Truck” toy drive that will help provide new toys and coats to local children in need this Christmas. The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is open to the general public who would like to donate new toys and coats to children who take part in The Salvation Army programs year-round. As they enter the store, Walmart shoppers will receive a list of suggested gifts to help fill The Salvation Army’s collection bins. Once the bins are full, The Salvation Army will distribute the gifts to local children in need. The collection is expected to provide gifts to many children this Christmas season…

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