Empty Stocking Fund needs your help
By Dennis Hill
Published in News on December 3, 2008 1:46 PM
Unless donations to the Empty Stocking Fund increase soon, organizers say they will have a difficult time making the annual party for needy children a success.
The goal for this year's event, which has been held for nearly a century, is $41,000. At present, organizers have less than $10,000 in the kitty and the party is less than two weeks away.
The fund was started in 1912 to help poor families who were unable to provide clothing, toys and other gifts for their children at the holidays. Generosity has been a hallmark of the fund in the decades since, and last year more than 600 children received gifts at the party.
This year's economic troubles have undoubtedly contributed to the slow stream of donations, but organizers say they still are holding out hope that enough people will find a way to contribute so they can ensure that no child chosen to receive gifts will walk away empty-handed.
Donations can be mailed to The Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 10629, Goldsboro, N.C. 27532, or simply dropped off at the newspaper office at 310 N. Berkeley Blvd.
Every penny donated goes directly to buy gifts. There is no overhead and all the help in putting the party together is done by volunteers. The Continental Society and the Goldsboro Woman's Club are partners in the event and will help distribute gifts at the party, which will be held Dec. 13 at Dillard Middle School.