A celebratory crowd shared laughs, heart-felt stories and good will at the General Mills Covington plant Thursday.

General Mills held its annual Community Partnership Council Grant Reception, awarding $200,000 in grants to 19 organizations in Newton, Walton and Rockdale counties.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year," Covington Plant Manager Mark Bible said, before presenting the checks.

Organizations which received awards form General Mills supported a wide range of causes from helping the underprivileged, children, the arts and the hungry.

"It's so humbling for all of is this room who wouldn't have this opportunity without General Mills," Covington Y Executive Director Louly Hay-Capp said. "Thank you."

Each organization met Bible with a hug, and told the crowd what the award meant to them and explained what their organization did. All the recipients also shared smiles, with laughter and applause greeting everyone.

"We get a profound sense and feeling that this is our village," Executive Director Bea Jackson said.

This is the 20th year General Mills has given back to its community, upping the award total from $150,000 to $200,000 two years ago.

"My mom would tuck me in at night and tell me that there were angels watching over me, and I always told her I wanted to see them," Bible said. "I see them here today."

The organizations that received grants were:

Arts Association of Newton County
Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta
Camp Twin Lakes
Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts
Covington YMCA
Elks Aidmore
Faith in Serving Humanity, Inc
Family Promise of New Rock
JH House Elementary
Morgan County Foundation
Newotn County Community Partnership
Newton County School System
Newton County Senior Services
Newton County Sheriff's Department
Prevent Child Abuse Rockdale
Project Renewal Domestic Violence Intervention Program (shelter)
Rainbow Community Center
Walton County Senior Citizens Council
Washington Street Community Center