Civic-minded groups like the Bel-Heights ECA Club can always be counted on to do their part for The Gazette Empty Stocking Fund.
On Thursday, the club made its annual donation to the campaign, which helps the Salvation Army provide Christmas assistance to those among us who have hit hard times this holiday season.
The club is part of the Extension and Community Association, an organization that touches the lives of countless people right here in Gaston County. ECA Clubs are always looking for ways to make our community a better place. They do that through their community service projects that include:
n Collecting medicine bottles for Samaritan’s Purse
n Making afghans for Warm Up America, special pillows for patients recovering from surgery, and baby quilts for the pediatric neo-natal unit
n Collecting soup and food labels for Gaston County Schools
n Collecting eyeglasses for mission trips
n Providing scholarships to students
n Teaching and preserving crafts such as quilting, knitting, sewing, ceramics and jewelry making
And did I mention they can cook? Just attend one of their annual spaghetti fundraisers and you’ll know what I’m talking about. And while they are doing all these good deeds at the monthly meetings and on special work days, they are enjoying each others’ company.
A big thank you to these fine folks and to the others who made donations on Thursday. Through your generosity, the Salvation Army will be able to provide toys for needy children and food for parents to prepare a holiday meal. It will buy gifts for seniors barely getting by. The Salvation Army expects to help 486 families – 1,151 children. The Silver Bells program for seniors will help about 40 people, and about 1,800 residents of assisted living centers and nursing homes will receive gifts.
Making a contribution is easy. Donations can be:
n Brought to The Gazette , 1893 Remount Road, Gastonia, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
n Mailed to The Gazette Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 1538, Gastonia, NC 28053.
For your convenience, a contribution form is included in today’s Gazette .
Today’s contributors include:
n In memory of David Shope, Tim Shope, Lorena Shields and Phillip Shields, from Theresa Shope, $25
n In memory of my loving husband Charles, son Doug, and mother Bessie Bradley, from Bobbie Thornburg and grandchildren, $125
n In honor of Laura McDonald, from the Covenant United Methodist Church Mission Keepers Circle, $25
n From The Love Class, Unity Baptist Church, Myrtle School Road, Gastonia, $100
n From the Bel-Heights Extension and Community Association (ECA), $100
n In honor of family and friends, and in memory of M.W. Carpenter and Lou Shaver, from Bill and Gay Carpenter, $100
n In memory of Lila King, Bill Kelley and Paul Quinn, from Scotty and Glen King, $500
n In memory of Ms. Drucilla Chambers, from the Winget Family, $50
n From Albert G. Myers Jr., $500
Every dollar given to The Gazette Empty Stocking Fund campaign goes directly to the Salvation Army for its Christmas outreach. By giving, you are making a difference in the life of someone right here in Gaston County.
The campaign, which kicked off on Thanksgiving Day, continues through Christmas Eve. We’ll announce our final total on Christmas Day.
GOAL: $100,000
AMOUNT RAISED: $10,442