Published in the December 8, 2016 edition

By BOB TUROSZ

NORTH READING  — People sometimes wonder how their donations to the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund (which go directly to the Christian Community Service) are used to help our neighbors here in town who are experiencing difficult times. This is an actual story of a mother’s request for help that the CCS received just recently and how they helped.

Recently, a woman came to the CCS desk at the North Reading Food Pantry to request help with paying her overdue rent. She had been laid off from her job more than a month ago and was falling behind in her bills.

The CCS Director of Client Services spoke with the woman and explained that the amount was more than their limited funds could pay. The CCS policy is to try to help and this mother of two children, out of work and separated from her husband really needed some assistance. They gave her the opportunity to shop in the pantry, to sign up for the Thanksgiving dinner basket – enough food for eight people – and to also sign up for Christmas gifts for both of her young children.

The mother came into the CCS office at her wit’s end and left knowing there are people in her own community who will willingly help her to see there is a way to manage her limited resources. This woman also got someone to talk to, some advice on job hunting and some confidence. And her children will have Christmas gifts thanks to the generosity of the North Reading community.

The bottom line is that through a donation to the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund, you can be part of the process of helping this family back on track. The mother has some hope to move forward. The children will know the joy of Christmas this year.

This is the kind of good work in our community that the Christian Community Service (a non–denominational organization) performs day–in and day–out throughout the year. Donations to the fund – or any donation to the CCS, which also runs the North Reading Food Pantry – help the CCS to go about its work, under the radar, of assisting good, hard working people right here in town who are having a hard time making ends meet.

Once again this year, the Transcript is pleased to acknowledge the gift of $10,000 from Morton and Company of Wilmington. Their annual donation makes a huge difference and is important to the success of the fund. There was also an exceedingly generous gift of $1,000 in loving memory of Eileen Gilmartin.

All donations will be acknowledged in the Transcript. Donations may be mailed to the Transcript at P.O. Box 7, North Reading, MA 01864. 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.

For those who prefer to drop off a check in person, donations may be left at the Reading Cooperative Bank, 170 Park St.

Checks should be made payable to the Christian Community Service or “CCS,” not the Transcript. Help make the 2016 Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund drive the most successful ever.

Donations this week:

Anonymous……………………………………………….$300

Roy and Christina Walters…………………………..$100

Ned and Sandra Kershner, remembering friends

and relatives………………………………………………..$100

Merry Christmas to all, Don…………………………..$250

David and Anita Bragdon……………………………….$300

Morton and Company…………………………………$10,000

Caroline B. Smith…………………………………………$100

Bob & Jean Germino……………………………………..$100

Anonymous…………………………………………………$100

Doris & Earl Florence……………………………………$300

Dennis & Mary Moore……………………………………$200

In memory of Dick Smith………………………………….$50

In memory of Karen St. Pierre…………………………..$50

In loving memory of Eileen Gilmartin………………$1,000

In memory of “Chippo,” love from Eric and Ariel………..$100

In loving memory of Paul Horan…………………………$100

Anthony & Marilyn Sacco……………………………….$25

In memory of GiGi Benjamin…………………………..$10

Subtotal this week……………………………………….$13,185

Previously acknowledged……………………………..$300

Total this week…………………………………………..$13,485