We have decided to start The Empty Stocking Fund a little bit earlier this year because there is a lot of work to be done — and money to be raised.
According to the Department of Social Services, 1,781 children ages 1 to 13 from 785 families have been deemed eligible to benefit from the fund after applications were taken on Nov. 20. As children are checked off Santa’s list, each will receive gifts from either Kmart or Roses through $50 vouchers supported by the fund.
Last year, about 1,000 children benefited from The Empty Stocking Fund as you helped us raise almost $50,000. While impressive, that number was just more than half the eligible children for last year.
As has become a tradition, the Robeson County Agricultural Fair has made the first donation of $500 from proceeds from its most recent fair, the 66th edition, which checks 10 children off Santa’s list. There are three additional gifts to report, so the fund is off to a promising start.
Once again, an anonymous benefactor has promised to match each gift of at least $10 with its own $25 gift up to $6,000. To fully benefit from that pledge, The Empty Stocking Fund needs 240 gifts of at least $10.
If you have not contributed to the fund in the past, we hope you will considering doing so now as we expect this will be a difficult year because of the economy. And perhaps those who have given in the past will consider increasing your donation by a few dollars. Every little bit helps.
Donations can be made in person at our office at 2175 N. Roberts Ave. or mailed to us at P.O Box 1028, Lumberton, N.C., 28359. Just make the check payable to The Empty Stocking Fund.
Each day The Robesonian will list the money donated and the contributors. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can do so by being listed as “A friend” or “Anonymous.” Donations can also be made in honor or memory of loved ones. If requested, we will publish photographs with donations of $500 or more. A photograph can be provided, or we will take one.
Previous total … $0.00
1. Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair …. $500.00
2. Trinity United Methodist Church Women of Fairmont ….$50.00
3. Bloomingdale Baptist Church, WMV ….$25.00
4. Lounette Cain ….$100.00
New total ….$675.00
Merry Christmas.