Empty Stocking Fund enters its 27th year helping needy

FLORENCE — The Empty Stocking Fund enters its 27th year today providing needy people with relief for the holidays.

The fund is a joint effort between the Salvation Army and the Morning News to bring Christmas to impoverished and low-income families in six Pee Dee counties.

Heading up the fund on the Salvation Army side are Maj. Cape Grice and his wife, Maj. Brenda Grice. They took the reins of the Florence Salvation Army office in July.

Both were standing tall by their lockers Tuesday, getting their acts together amidst a crowd that stretched out the doors to the Salvation Army office at 2210 Hoffmeyer Road.

With the help of the Empty Stocking Fund, the Salvation Army was able to give assistance to 868 families during the 2007 holiday season. Total individuals served, including the families, were 8,458.

Last year, the fund raised $77,992.06 to help families in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion and Marlboro counties.

“The Empty Stocking Fund is a great benefit to the Salvation Army and the community,” Brenda Grice said.

And the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation has given the fund an initial $10,000 gift with the promise of $20,000 more if the community matches the $20,000.

Maj. Cape Grice said this means the fund is in a position to help more people than ever.

“This has been a great partnership,” he said, “and I feel like as long as we’re meeting the needs of our community, it will continue for many years. This is one of those times of the year that we can really step up to the plate.”

And there are other ways to help the Salvation Army make Christmas brighter for those in need by:

• Donating at a Salvation Army Christmas kettle
• Adopting a family by dropping off gifts at the Salvation Army by Dec. 15 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Donating new, unwrapped toys for children through age 12, which will be distributed from the Salvation Army’s toy shop Dec. 23.

The Empty Stocking Fund not only accepts monetary and gift donations, but also food and clothing.
For the donation form, see the ad on Page 4D.

How to help fill the stocking

People who would like to help families struggling through the holidays can 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.