Charities seeking help for holidays
By Catharin Shepard
Published in News on November 30, 2009 1:46 PM
At a time when one in every 10 people in America is unemployed, many charitable groups and organizations in Wayne County are seeking donations to help make the holiday season a little brighter for local residents.
Ever since the Goldsboro News-Argus founded the Empty Stocking Fund almost a century ago, hundreds of children in Wayne County have been able to count on getting warm clothes, a stocking full of stuffers and a toy to play with on Christmas morning.
The fund is completely dedicated to the children, with every penny donated going to buy the clothes and toys. Volunteers from the News-Argus staff and members of the Goldsboro Woman's Club, Elks' Club and the Continental Society donate their own time to help organize and administrate the special party for the children.
This year's goal is to raise $42,000 to fill 600-plus stockings. Donations may be brought to the newspaper office at 310 N. Berkeley Blvd., or mailed to P.O. Box 10629, Goldsboro, N.C., 27532.
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The Mount Olive College Collegiate FFA is teaming up with Coats-For-Kids for the fifth consecutive year to provide new, warm winter coats to children at Carver Elementary School. Last year, the Mount Olive Collegiate FFA collected more than $3,000 to provide coats to kids in the area.
Donations may be mailed to Collegiate FFA, Attn: Sandy Maddox, Mount Olive College, Mount Olive, N.C. 28365. For more information about the FFA service project with Coats-For-Kids, call 658-7682.
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Operation Santa Claus, an outreach of the Mental Health Association and affilates, donates gifts to people in Wayne County without family or friends, who would otherwise be forgotten during the holidays.
Operation Santa Claus ensures that people at Cherry Hospital, O'Berry Center, Wayne Memorial Hospital and in local rest homes, nursing homes and group homes will receive Christmas presents.
A donation of $25 will provide a gift for one person. Volunteers also are needed to shop for, wrap and deliver presents. For more information or to volunteer, call 734-3530.
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St. Mary School and Wayne County Day School will once again conduct a Dove Tree for needy children in the county.
Dove Trees will be placed at St. Mary School and Wayne Country Day School. Each dove card is printed with the name, sex, and clothing size of a child in need. Volunteers are asked to select a dove, shop for the child and drop off the wrapped present by the first week in December. Dove cards may be picked up at Wayne Country Day and St. Mary School during the week and at the St. Mary Church on Sunday. For more information on the Dove Tree, call 735-1931.
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The Goldsboro Family YMCA is working with the Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County and Wayne Uplift for their Y's Men event. The Y is asking for donations of gift cards from department stores and grocery stores to be distributed to needy families. To donate or inquire further about the program, call 778-8557.
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The U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots drop boxes are in place. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Firestone Complete Auto Center at Berkeley Mall, State Farm Insurance at 2501 Wayne Memorial Drive, Storage One at 3941 Lake Wilson Road in Wilson and the Wal-Mart in Mount Olive. For information about drop-off locations or to request toys, call (252) 265-6165.
Toys for Teens, a program that collects toys for older children, is accepting monetary donations. Go online to www.bestbuy.com/toysforteens, or visit a Best Buy store for more information or to donate. Best Buy sponsors the program, while the purchase and distribution of gifts is handled by the Marine Corps.
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The Humane Society accepts donations year-round. Call 736-PETS for more information on their programs or to donate.
Dog lovers can also donate to Diamonds in the Ruff Canine Rescue, a 501(c)3 charitable organization founded by Susan Wheeler and Terri Moore. Diamonds in the Ruff seeks to find loving and lifelong homes for shelter dogs. The organization relies solely on donations and adoption fees, and the support of Wayne Veterinary Hospital in Goldsboro and For the Love of Dogs in Wilson.
In addition to monetary donations, Diamonds in the Ruff also accepts donations of pet food and supplies and cleaning supplies. Call 222-0500 to make a donation or volunteer to foster a homeless dog.