A return address label on one of the Empty Stocking Fund contributions that arrived in the mail Friday caught my attention. In capital letters was the word “believe.” I thought about that word as I worked on this column and about how fitting it is for this time of year.
As you’ll see on today’s Faith front, congregations are hosting an array of special programs this month because they believe in the miracle that was the birth of Jesus Christ.
Little ones go to bed on Christmas Eve believing in Santa and his sleigh filled with toys.
And Gaston County residents believe in helping those in need at Christmas.
That’s why year after year, they can be counted on to support The Gazette Empty Stocking Fund. And in doing so, they are helping people who have hit such hard times that they might have stopped believing.
The Salvation Army expects to help 486 families — 1,151 children this year. The Silver Bells program for seniors will assist 40 people, and about 1,800 nursing home residents will receive gifts.
With 2 ½ weeks to go until Christmas, we need your help more than ever to reach our goal of $100,000. Can we do it? Of course we can, because we believe.
Donations can be:
- Brought toThe Gazette, 1893 Remount Road, Gastonia, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Mailed to The Gazette Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 1538, Gastonia, NC 28053.
Today’s contributors include:
- In memory of Mom, Mildred A. Smith, from Barry, Lujane, Josh and April, $25
- In memory of Dad, William C. Smith, from Barry, Lujane, Josh and April, $25
- In memory of Dad, Tommy Berryhill, from Lujane, Barry, Josh and April, $25
- In memory of Mom, Joyce Berryhill, from Lujane, Barry, Josh and April, $25
- In memory of Grandma Miller and Grandpa Muterspaw, $100
- In memory of Edwin F. Hahn, my dear husband, from Jean Hahn, $25
- In memory of my husband, Bill Tatham, and son, John Tatham, from Daisy Tatham, $100
- In honor of Derrick Jones, from Ray Jones and Carolyn Jones, $100
- In honor of Michael, John and Anna, $250
- In honor of our grandchildren, Kaley, Holden and Logan, from Wanda and Barry Dellinger, $50
- In memory of my mother, Barbara Elkins Welch; my cousin, Sandra Gail Elkins; and my childhood friend, Carolyn Wiggins Walker, from Sue Pogorzelski, $100
- Anonymous, $1,000
- In honor of Will and Heidi, from Johan Newcombe, $200
- In memory of Roger K. “Pop” Bollinger, from Keith, Patti and Megan Bollinger, $25
- In honor of our grandchildren, Erin, Garrett and Elie, from Jim and Linda Hill, $50
- In memory of Theron Heffner and Vernon Heffner, from Jim and Sherry Wyatt, $25
- In memory of my husband, John Lineberger, from Gaynell Lineberger, $25
- In memory of Thomas R. “Tommy” Matherlee II, from his father, Brent Matherlee, and his grandparents, Charlotte F. and Thomas R. Matherlee, $100
- In honor of Geraldine Quinn and Gene and Sara Carpenter, and in memory of Kenneth Quinn, from Vince, Pamela, Wesley, Kaylee and Jake, $400
- In honor of Meekie, and in memory of Rilla McClure, from Spencer, $100
The campaign, which kicked off on Thanksgiving Day, continues through Christmas Eve. We’ll announce our final total on Christmas Day. 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.