The deadline is close, and donations are slowly coming in.

Still, things are looking brighter.

Donations for the Bladen Journal Empty Stocking Fund topped $4,000 this week with contributions from Cephus Beatty with $25 and Teressa McKoy Watts at $100. A $300 gift was also made in memory of Shirley Midyette.

The need is even greater this year than last; even though the economy is slowly picking up, many people are still searching for jobs. Some are trying to replace incomes lost when spouses or family members were deployed to the War on Terror.

The Bladen Journal Empty Stocking Fund collects donations from groups and individuals to buy gift certificates for children who might not otherwise have any gifts at Christmas. The certificates are good at local merchants.

Recipients are chosen based on need, and must apply through the Dept. of Social Services to be eligible. Families need not be eligible for Social Service benefits to qualify.

Applications are not accepted at the Bladen Journal.

Donations, however, are welcome at the newspaper office. You may mail your donations (note "Empty Stocking Fund" on your check) to P.O. Box 70, Elizabethtown, 28337, or bring it by our offices at 228-A W. Broad Street during regular business hours.

We love to run photographs of group donations, so others will be inspired to offer a helping hand, too.

Thus far this year, a total of $4,068.62 has been collected for the Empty Stocking Fund. This year's donors thus far include:

ˇ Classic Cruisers Car Club, $1,500;

ˇ Bethel Township Senior Citizens, $25;

ˇ Choice Mortgage, $150;

ˇ Bladen County AARP, $25

ˇ Carvers Creek UMW, $25;

ˇ In memory of Jimmy Green, $50;

ˇ Ted Smith, $20;

ˇ Virginia Fischer, $10;

ˇ Harvey and Kathy Iwerks, $100;

ˇ Peyton and Vera Royal, $25;

ˇ Anonymous, $10

ˇ Anonymous, $10

ˇ Anonymous, $50

ˇ In memory of Dot and Mac McClure, by Jane and Steve Love, $1,000;

ˇ In honor of Rev. Fred and Polly Davis, by Mr. Davis' Sunday School Class, $100;

ˇ Bladen County Employees' Helping Hands, $25.

ˇ Cephus Beatty, $25;

ˇ Teressa McKoy Watts, $100; and

ˇ In memory of Shirley Midyette, $300.

Leftover funds of $518.62 from last year (mainly from late donations) brings this year's total thus far to $4,068.62.

There's still time to make a donation and help brighten Christmas for a local child.

The deadline for donations is Friday. Call 862-4163 and help a child have a merry Christmas to remember.

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