Empty Stocking Fund a holiday wonder

It is that time of year again.

The Goldsboro News-Argus has kicked off its 2005 Empty Stocking Fund.
And as you probably noted in the Thanksgiving edition, we are already off to a great start because of the generosity of Wayne County.

But even with this good a start, we have a long way to go to make sure that more than 600 needy children have presents under the tree and stockings hung by the chimney with care when Christmas rolls around.

The annual project — a tradition here since 1912 — is a joyous endeavor for the volunteers here at the newspaper as well as our community partners, the Goldsboro Woman’s Club, the Elks Lodge and the Continental Society.

But even more important than those volunteers are the people who choose to make giving to the fund a part of their family’s holiday tradition.

There is nothing sadder than a needy child who is so sure he or she is not going to have anything under the Christmas tree that he or she refuses even to believe in Santa Claus.

What a wonderful gift to allow a little boy or a little girl the chance to experience the same sense of wonder many of our own children do during the holiday season.

Give as much or as little as you can. Every contribution is welcome and appreciated — and will go directly to making a special holiday for these children. As always, we would like to say thank you for helping us by acknowledging your participation in the newspaper — and don’t forget to include a special dedication if you decide to make a donation in someone’s honor.

Throughout the campaign we will also introduce you to some of our donors and their stories. We hope you will be inspired by the number of Wayne County residents who really do care about their neighbors.

And after it is all over, we will share a story or two from the children as well as a glimpse into how the party went. We hope it will add a special shine to your holiday season.

Thank you in advance for helping make this a special holiday for the area’s needy children, and may you and yours have a bright and shining holiday season.

Published in Editorials on November 26, 2005 11:33 PM