Christmas joy: Your generosity to ESF helps children -- and adults -- find spirit of the season.

We wish you could have been there.

There is nothing that brings Christmas into perspective more than seeing the reaction of a needy child when he or she receives a holiday gift.

And the funny thing about that moment is that for many of them, it is not just the toy that they are excited about. They are just as thrilled to get the box full of clothes and the stocking full of goodies.

And then comes the big finish, the chance to see Santa Claus up close and in person.

It really reminds you of what Christmas is supposed to be all about.

Every year we ask the Wayne County community to dig deep and to help us provide Christmas for hundreds of needy children across the county. And every year, you are the angels behind the Empty Stocking Fund Party.

This year was no exception.

Because of your generosity, we were able to provide a Christmas for hundreds of children and to make sure that they had warm clothing and a special toy to mark the occasion.

The morning also included a special Christmas program and lots of hugs and smiles.

We can't tell you how many parents thanked us with tears in their eyes -- and how many children made sure they said thank you when they received their gift.

We pass those thanks on to you.

It was a heart-warming, magical experience.

Although the party is now over, we still need your help. The quick turnaround from Thanksgiving to Christmas has made the window to collect the donations a little tighter this year.

So, we will continue to accept donations -- along with the memorials and tributes -- through Christmas. A donation makes a nice Christmas gift. What a great way to remind youngsters -- and ourselves -- about the true meaning of the season.

Send your donation, along with your tribute or memorial, to Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 10629, Goldsboro, N.C. 27532, or stop by our office on Berkeley Boulevard. We will make sure your gift is acknowledged in time for Christmas.

And we would be remiss if we did not thank the volunteers and others who helped us make the Empty Stocking Fund possible. We could not do it without them either.

Thanks again for helping us make the season brighter for hundreds of needy children.

We knew we could count on you.

Published in Editorials on December 15, 2014 11:41 AM