ELIZABETHTOWN —Slowly but surely, the Bladen Journal and Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Empty Stocking Fund is gaining traction.
Up until Friday at noon, four more generous gifts were received and pushed the total so far to $1,973.
The most recent donations were:
— $80 from the Bethlehem United Methodist Women in White Oak (in honor of the children of the church)
— $20 from Gary B. Young of Bladenboro
— $50 from Carvers Creek United Methodist Women
— $533 from the Holiday Lunch Bunch at Specialty Product Technologies in Elizabethtown
“There is about a week to go before the deadline, so we are still hoping we can reach the goal of $15,000 this season,” said W. Curt Vincent, general manager/editor of the Bladen Journal. “But whatever we end up with, every penny will be stretched to include as many children as possible.”
Each holiday season, the Bladen Journal staff collects monetary donations from the public — individuals, businesses, school groups, church groups and civic organizations — and, right before Christmas, gift cards to Walmart and Leinwand’s are purchased and distributed to needy families throughout Bladen County.
If the goal is reached, it will send Vincent to the roof of the Bladen Journal for 24 hours on Christmas weekend.
Contributions directly to the Empty Stocking Fund can be handled in a number of ways:
— A check or cash can be delivered to the Bladen Journal office at 138 W. Broad St. in Elizabethtown during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
— A check made out to Bladen Journal Empty Stocking Fund can be mailed to the Bladen Journal, P.O. Box 70, Elizabethtown, N.C. 28337.
— A Bladen Journal staff member can come by and pick up any contribution you may have during regular business hours.
The Bladen Journal will collect donations through Dec. 12 — along the way, contributions will be listed in the newspaper. Those who prefer may remain anonymous or contribute in memory of someone else.