Published in the December 10, 2015 edition

By BOB TUROSZ

NORTH READING — Maybe it’s the unseasonably warm (so far) winter weather this month or the equally warm glow of all the holiday lights ands visits from Santa and memories of Christmases past. But Transcript readers opened their hearts and their checkbooks this week, donating over $14,000 to the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund in only its second full week.

The Fund total so far has been boosted by a number of generous donations. And once again this year, the Morton Company of Wilmington leads the way with the most sizable donation, $10,000, far and away the largest single gift received. Every year the generosity of the Morton Company accounts for nearly one third of the Neighbor Fund’s total and once again that generosity is greatly appreciated and humbly acknowledged.

But other donations pushed the fund over $14,000 as well – such as $2,000 given in memory of Eileen Gilmartin, $750 from Mary Ann and John Lape and $250 from Don and Maureen Daniel. There were many other gifts as well, most of them annual donations from loyal readers and all donations are deeply appreciated and urgently needed by the Christian Community Service, North Reading’s non–denominational, volunteer local charitable organization that administers 100 percent of all the funds donated to the Neighbor Fund.

The Transcript’s annual appeal for donations to the Neighbor Fund has become an important basis of the CCS’ efforts to offer aid to the town’s needy residents 12 months a year. Last year, the readers of this newspaper donated an incredibly generous $32,000 to the Neighbor Fund. All of that money stayed here in town to help our needy friends and neighbors.

Horseshoe gift card offer

New this year, customers purchasing a $100 gift card to the Horseshoe Grille from now to Christmas Eve will have the option of donating a $20 gift card to the Christian Community Service. Every year, patrons purchasing a $100 gift card to the Horseshoe have received a $20 gift card for their own use in return. This year, they have the option of pledging their $20 gift card to the CCS, with Horseshoe owner Pat Lee writing a check to the CCS/Neighbor Fund at the end of the promotion.

The CCS is a non–denominational, non–profit organization. Donations are tax deductible and a tax receipt will be furnished to anyone who requests one. Receipts are automatically mailed for donations of $250 or more.

Donations accepted at Reading Co–operative Bank

All donations will be acknowledged in the Transcript. Donations may be mailed to the Transcript at P.O. Box 7, North Reading MA 01864. For those who prefer to drop off a donation in person, donations may be left at the Reading Co–operative Bank, 170 Park St.

Checks should be made payable to the Christian Community Service or “CCS,” not the newspaper.

Help make the 2015 Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund drive the most successful ever.

• Morton and Company, Wilmington$10,000

• In loving memory of Eileen Gilmartin$2,000

•In loving memory of Mazie$100

• For Nanna & Greekey$50

• William & Janice Marshall$100

• Mary Ann & John Lape$750

• Don & Maureen Daniel$250

• In memory of Dick Smith$50

• In loving memory of Karen St. Pierre$50

• Everett & Molly Leonard$300

• In memory of Frank & Janet Hill$75

• In memory of Robert Howard$50

• In loving memory of our moms$50

• Monday Bridge Club$100

• Joyful Holiday Wishes to all CCS volunteers$100

• Karl & Lisa Touet$100

• John and Jane Hudgins$25

Total donations this week$14,150

Previously Acknowledged$200

Total as of Dec. 7, 2015$14,350