Grateful Pee Dee residents accept Empty Stocking Fund gifts

By: | SCNOW
Published: December 23, 2009

FLORENCE — Christmas came a couple of days early for 756 families receiving assistance from the Empty Stocking Fund this year.

The joint venture between the Salvation Army and the Morning News culminated with its Toy Shop on Tuesday and Wednesday when families picked up their bags of donated gifts.

A total of 150 bicycles and hundreds of red bags full of toys, food and clothing lined the floors of a warehouse on Hoffmeyer Road in Florence as recipients lined up outside waiting patiently for their ID numbers to be called.

More than 30 volunteers were on hand to help hand out the gifts.

Carson Summersett, a senior softball player at West Florence High School, woke up early on her day off to help out.

“It was hard to get up this morning but after getting here, I realized why I was here,” she said.

For Maj. Brenda Grice, the Toy Shop offers her a sigh of relief after more than a month of tireless work.

“It’s a relief in a way because it’s finally here and we’re able to help these folks,” she said. “They’re coming through and they have smiles and are very appreciative.”

This year was an especially difficult year because, of the 756 families receiving aid, more than 500 of them were first-time recipients.

Galelashaun Johnson, a resident of Florence and mother of two, is one of those first-time applicants.

“I moved here from Florida for my kids and then my house was robbed. So I have to start all over again,” she said.

Through the Empty Stocking Fund, it will be a merry Christmas in her home.

People who would like to help families struggling through the holidays can still donate to the Empty Stocking Fund in several ways:

By calling the Salvation Army at (843) 662-4461.
By dropping off toys or monetary donations to the Salvation Army office building at 2210 Hoffmeyer Road in Florence.
By giving monetary donations at any Florence BB&T bank branch: 605 S. Irby St., 1831 W. Evans St., and 407 W. Second Loop Road. Checks should be made payable to the Empty Stocking Fund, c/o Salvation Army.

Another way to help the fund make Christmas brighter for those in need is to donate at a Salvation Army Christmas kettle.

The Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation made an initial $10,000 donation to the fund again this year. Because the community raised at least $20,000 on its own, the foundation matched it with another $20,000.

Recent donations to the Empty Stocking Fund: Richard and Caroline Henderson of Florence, $25; BOZ of Darlington, $25; Charles and Carolyn Young of Florence, $30; Jody and Janet Oliver of Florence, $50; Drew and Caarson Moore of Cades, $50; Cyril and Barbara Segars of Florence, $100; Alan Floyd of Florence, $100; J.L. & G.F. Ham of Florence ,$175; Fidelity Charities Gift Fund of Cincinnati, $500; Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation of Florence, $30,000; The Floyd Family of Darlington, $5; Sarah Ellis of Florence, $10; Wayne and Joann Lovell of Florence, $25; Parks and Mary Garrison of Florence, $25; Joe and Susan Firimonte of Florence, $50; Michie and Peggy McCaskill of Florence, $100; Debra Dickinson of Florence, $100; Friendship Class of Highland Park United Methodist Church of Florence, $100; Myrtle Terrell of Florence, $100; Students of St. Anthony Catholic School Bake Sale of Florence, $119; Florence Civitan Club of Florence, $130; Dr. John Gause of Florence in honor his partners at Pee Dee Surgical Group, $200; Home Health Management Inc. of Florence, $750; Samuel Sparrow of Lake City, $1,000; The Schafer Foundation of Dillon, $1,000; Home Health Management Inc. of Florence, $1,750; The Aiken Foundation of Florence, $5,000; anonymous, $100; Clarke, Johnson, Peterson & McLean P.A. of Florence, $1,000.