Empty Stocking Fund seeks $33,000
By Linda Luck
Published in News on November 25, 2004 1:56 PM
The Empty Stocking Fund, Goldsboro's oldest charity, kicks off its 92nd year today.
It was organized in 1912 by members of Goldsboro Woman's Club who were afraid that some children in the community would not receive anything for Christmas.
The club's members expressed their concerns to Col. Joe Robinson, founder and editor of the Daily Argus. Together they made a commitment: The newspaper would raise the money and the Woman's Club would see to it that the "stockings" of needy children would be filled at Christmastime.
This year's goal is to raise $33,000 to fill 610 stockings.
Wayne County Public Schools will provide the names and sizes of children from families that need a helping hand this holiday season.
Members of the Woman's Club and the Continental Society will choose an outfit of clothes and a new toy for each child.
The gifts and the stockings filled with fruits, nuts and candy, will be given to the children at a party on Dec. 18 at United Artist Theatre.
Volunteers will handle the details for the party and donations from people in the community will pay for the gifts.
Some will make a contribution in honor of a parent, grandparent, friend or favorite teacher.
Others will give the money they would have spent on a deceased loved one's gift, making the donation in that person's memory.
And others, such as Heather Miller, will give because they want all children to share in the Christmas joy they knew as children.
Ms. Miller, district marketing assistant for Movie Gallery, organized a balloon pop which was held this past weekend at the Southeastern Plaza branch on N.C. 111.
After soliciting free-meal coupons, T-shirts, and other prizes from area merchants, Ms. Miller passed out flyers inviting people to stop by Movie Gallery on Saturday to pop a balloon for a $1.
She said over 200 people showed up and she was glad to have the assistance of her niece, Catie Miller, and help from Ada Taylor, branch manager, and Suzanne Harmon, district manager.
Ms. Miller said all of the prizes were given away and the grand prize -- a DVD and VCR player donated by Aarons -- was won by Bonnie Pelton.
The day was a lot of fun, Ms. Miller said, and it raised $510 for the Empty Stocking Fund.
"I remember how blessed my childhood was," Ms. Miller said, and she wants to do what she can to make it a happy time for all children.
Movie Gallery's generous donation, along with others, made it possible for the Empty Stocking Fund to begin this season with $3,245.00 -- a good beginning, but a long way from the goal.
Donations may be brought to the newspaper office at 310 N. Berkeley Blvd., or mailed to P.O. Box 10629, Goldsboro, N.C., 27532.
The contribution list will be published daily, except Monday.
Donations received to date:
| Jack & Ann Stephens | 25.00 |
| Eastern Wayne Extension & Community Assoc. | 25.00 |
| David & Denise Tayloe | 100.00 |
| In Memory of Tim Bartlett | 200.00 |
| Howard & Betty Bartlett West | 20.00 |
| In Loving Memory of J. D. Sasser | 25.00 |
| The Peanut Crew | 100.00 |
| Jerald Nipple and Family | 50.00 |
| In Memory of Rex Barfield | 100.00 |
| Remembering Janie & Faye | 50.00 |
| In Memory of C. Brantley Strickland, Charles B. & Mary E. Strickland, Van B. & Annabel G. Herring by Sallie Strickland | 100.00 |
| Ronald Edmark | 50.00 |
| Irvin Poole | 30.00 |
| Cmsgt (Ret) John & Mildred Hudson | 25.00 |
| In Memory of Ellsworth Sutton by Suttons Radio and TV Service | 25.00 |
| Malcolm Perry | 100.00 |
| Goldsboro Host Lions Club | 300.00 |
| In Memory of my parents Mr. & Mrs. H. M. Denning | 5.00 |
| Florence Glass & Laura Flick | 10.00 |
| Nancy, Ross, Ross III & David Wilson | 100.00 |
| Donald Hilliard | 25.00 |
| H. L. Best | 25.00 |
| Mabel Deans Mozingo | 25.00 |
| In Honor of our Grandkids: Ashley & Aaron Vick and Dakota, Amber & Justin Evans, from Papa and Nana | 50.00 |
| Lillian Beamon | 25.00 |
| In Loving Memory of Glenda Faye Davis | 25.00 |
| In Loving Memory of Elroy ( Buddy) Davis | 50.00 |
| Econo Lodge | 50.00 |
| E. Scott Edwards | 35.00 |
| Jerry & Kikuko Jones | 25.00 |
| Nancy Raburn | 100.00 |
| In Memory of Charlie Hill | 50.00 |
| Stony Creek Free Will Baptist Church Ambassador Sunday School Class | 100.00 |
| Louis T. Quinn | 50.00 |
| Given in Loving Memory of my husband, Arnold O. Jones by Lillie S. Jones | 50.00 |
| In Memory of Granny & Grandmama | 50.00 |
| In Memory of Pa by Robbie & Kayley | 25.00 |
| American Legion Wayne Post No. 11 | 100.00 |
| Mattie & Stanley Ginn | 5.00 |
| In Memory of Sterling D. Wooten | 100.00 |
| Photography by Malcolm Shearin | 50.00 |
| Movie Gallery 111 South | 510.00 |
| Russell & Sara Keen | 100.00 |
| Good Samaritan S. S. Class | 50.00 |
| Dees, Smith, Powell, Jarrett, Dees & Jones | 100.00 |
| Gladys Bremer | 10.00 |
| Eugene Person | 20.00 |
| Total | $3,245.00 |