An incredible final day has pushed the Empty Stocking Fund higher than ever before, with a total of $87,188 donated, eclipsing the record of $85,899.80 set in 2016.
We received 210 gifts, making the average donation in excess of $400. Amazing.
We weren’t able for the third straight year to provide Christmas for all 1,914 children who were qualified, but vouchers were provided for 1,817 — and that is something worth cheering about during this holiday season. It happened because of the good folks in Robeson County who always look out for each other.
More than $20,000 was added to the fund on the last day, including $6,500 raised during the Lumber River Council of Governments and the Housing Authority of the City of Lumberton’s annual bowling tournament, which was held in honor of Leon Maynor, the longtime Lumberton City Council member who died in July.
Housing Authority Director Adrian Lowry makes this happen, so thanks to him.
The tournament, which debuted in 2001, has now raised more than $100,000 for the fund during that time.
A special shout-out to Scott McLean and his staff at the Lumberton Bowling Center, and those who gave: Allen Orthopedics PA, $500; Central Builders Inc, $300; Speech N Progress Inc., $250; Planter’s Oil Company Inc., $240; Renae and David Hunt, $220; Jan Maynor, in honor of Leon Maynor, $200; Valissa and Adrian Lowery, in honor of Leon Maynor, $200; Musselwhite, Musselwhite, Branch & Grantham, $150; All Star Pest Management LLC, $150; VFW Post No. 8689, $150; R&R,Protective Services, $150; Lumberton Junior Service League Inc., $150; Kevin and Kim Britt, $150; Patricia Hammonds, $150; Larry Anderson Construction, $150; Dorsey Landscaping & Irrigation, $150; Pembroke Hardware, $150; Britt & Co. Real Estate LLC, $150; Elk Drywall Company, $150; Twilla and Brad Allen, in honor of Leon Maynor, $150; Lumberton FFA $150; The Wooten Company, $15; Commissioner Raymond Cummings, $100; Prevatte’s Home Sales Inc., $100; Jean Klein, $100; Oxendine Bail Bonding, $100; Collins & Associates DDS PA., $100; Jimmy Cox, $100; Donny Chavis Plumbing, $60; Currie Insurance Agency Inc., $50; CLC Financial Service Group LLC, $50; First Assembly of God, $50; Billie Ann McRae, $30; Tye Jackson, $25; Leon’s sports official Keith Atkinson, $50; Leon’s sports official Anthony Maynor, $50; Leon’s sports official Michael Locklear, $50; Leon’s sports official Darren Deese, $50; Leon’s sports official Roger Chavis, $50; Leon’s sports official Dean Tipton, $50; Leon’s sports official Tony Chavis, $20; Leon’s sports official Ronnie Sampson, $50.
We also want to thanks the staff at the Department of Social Services, especially Faye Lovelle and Anthony Dial, for doing that hard work, and Tammy Oxendine, Amanda Revels and Clarissa Jackson at The Robesonian, who greet people and handle the bookkeeping for the fund.
As always we hope you will read through the list below to see the names of those who made this happen.
Previous total……………….$67,177
83. Men’s Service Club at Tabor Correctional Institution…$1,000
184. Samuel and Dianne Britt, in honor of Roberto Arias, MD; DuBose Medlock, MD; Kendra Parrish, DO; Rakesh Kumar, MD………….$200
185. Anonymous, in memory of Worth and Evie Chavis, Wilburt and Maddie Locklear…$100
186. Debbie and Tony Webb, in memory of Jason Howard Webb…$250
187. From son, Brantley Oxendine Jr., in honor of my mom, Mrs. Maxine Locklear…$200
188. Daniel Sibley…………………………..$100
189. Sylvia Beasley, in memory of Jerry Beasley………$100
190. Joann and Terry Anderson……………….$2,000
191. Harvey Godwin Jr., in memory of Phoda J. Godwin………………$500
192. Anonymous, in memory of Sam and Margie Foster……..$200
193. Donnie Douglas, in memory of my buddies, David Richardson, Frank McGrath and Walter Hewitt…$100
194. Kenneth and Renee Richardson, in memory of Laurin Elizabeth Richardson, infant granddaughter of Kenneth and Renee Richardson……………$200
195. Empty Stocking Bowling Tournament, in memory of Leon Maynor …$6,500
196. Anonymous, in memory of Gary Powers …………………………….$1,500
197. Don and Liz McIntyre, in memory of Betty McIntyre Thomas………………..$100
198. Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce……………….$500
199. Sheila Beck, in memory of Beulah Beck………………….$50
200. Scott and Pam Benton, in memory of Janice Williams and Ray Benton……$200
201. Kellie Blue, in memory of Estelle Hunt………………..$200
202. Sylvia Richardson and children, in loving memory of David L. Richardson, MD…$100
203. From the Dixon Ivey family …$620
204. John Hodges, in memory of Hania Aguilar…$100
205. Vonta Leach……………………..$500
206. We The People, Mitchell Hunt……….$500
207. Ann and Buddy………………….$150
208. Sonya Rozier………………………..$100
209. City of Lumberton……………$2,6211
210. Oliver Oil Co. and Sun-Do Quick Shops…$2,000
Final total ……………………………..$87,188
Richard Covington presents Amanda Revels, a customer service representative with The Robesonian, with a check for $1,000 from the Men’s Service Club at Tabor Correctional Institution.
Shown are many of the participants in a bowling tournament sponsored by the Lumberton Housing Authority that raised $6,500 for the Empty Stocking Fund.
City officials flank Mayor Bruce Davis, who had $2,621 for the Empty Stocking Fund. Of that, $1,250 came from the City Council’s discretionary money, $751 was raised by employees at their Christmas party, and city employee Dixon Ivey donated $620 that he won in a 50-50 raffle.
Vonta Leach, left, and daughters Giselle and Alexandria, present Donnie Douglas, editor of The Robesonian, with 500 for the Empty Stocking Fund.
Gerome Chavis, a spokesman for the We the People movement, had $500 for Brittney Woodell, chief of advertising for The Robesonian.
Harvey Godwin Jr., a business owner and chairman of the Lumbee Tribe, has $500 for Brittney Woodell, head of advertising for The Robesonian. It was made in memory of Phoda J. Godwin.
Suzanne Abbott, chairman of the board for the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce, presents Donnie Douglas, editor of The Robesonian, with $500 for the Empty Stocking Fund.