Help Gaston County children and seniors by giving to Empty Stocking fund

A beloved Gaston County holiday tradition returns in 2022 with the kickoff of the Empty Stocking Fund campaign.

The annual effort, which takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve, helps those who are experiencing hard times, not only during the holiday season but throughout the year.

With your help, families in Gaston County will be able to obtain something for Christmas, while others will be able to find warmth in a shelter during the cold month of December while filling their bellies with hot meals.

The annual fundraiser will happen throughout December and will help those in need throughout the year, but especially during the holidays.

”People notice the Salvation Army more during the holidays and that is not because we are only active then but because we are preparing for the next year to be able to help those in need with whatever we can help them with,” said Gastonia’s Salvation Army Maj. David Phelps.

”We are open everyday, and we need these funds to continue to provide hope for those who need it the most,” he said.

However, this money is not just used for holiday assistance for Gaston County residents but for the many programs within the Salvation Army such as the Boys and Girls Club programming in Lowell that conducts after school programs throughout the year and day camps for kids during the summer.

Donations throughout the years come in all sizes from locally owned businesses to individual residents with the desire to help others during the season of giving. The past few years have been difficult, especially for those who need the most from the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army hopes to aid more than 600 children, 300 families, and 50 seniors through the Empty Stocking Fund, its Angel Tree program and other efforts.

However, according to Phelps, those who do not have money to spare can still help the Salvation Army’s efforts by volunteering during their Red Kettle Campaign as bell ringers. Every hour that a local volunteer can “Ring the Bell” means more dollars can be spent locally helping neighbors in need. This year the Salvation Army has established a website where you or your team can sign up at Register to Ring (https://www.registertoring.com).You can sign up individually or as a group such as a Sunday School, Scout Troop, Co-workers, etc.

Throughout the next month, The Gazette will publish the names of donors and list their contributions online and in print.

Due to the ongoing restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Gazette will no longer serve as a drop-off point for contributions.

Donation checks should be made out to The Salvation Army with the memo line noted as “Empty Stocking Fund.” Contributions should be mailed to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1094, Gastonia, NC 28053.

The Gazette will provide regular updates on the campaign as it progresses, up until Christmas Eve when the total is announced.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Help Gaston County children and seniors through Empty Stocking fund