Published January 10, 2019

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Donations totaling $2,824.24 received in the past week have enabled the Transcript to close out its 29th annual Christmas fundraiser in support of Christian Community Service (CCS) at just over $39,000.

The final tally of $39,011.24 makes the 2018 Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund drive one of our most successful to date.

Leading the charge was a $1,000 donation given in memory of Fredrik and Elna Peterson, Jean and Walter Chambers; Baden “Sonny” West and Robert J. Edkins as well as a $500 donation from The Jewelry Vault at 4 Lowell Rd. and a $250 donation from Prusik Painting Co.

Proceeds from the Horseshoe Grille’s “Do Something Nice Twice” holiday gift card give back campaign, coupled with personal donations from Pat, Kathi and Veronica Lee, added another $550 to the fund. In addition to providing financial support to the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund, the Lees helped hundreds of children get their letters mailed to Santa at the North Pole using their special mailbox during the Christmas season.

Regardless of the amount, all donors to the 29th annual drive sponsored by the newspaper can be assured that in the coming year local families and individuals facing tough economic times or personal circumstances will have their burdens lifted thanks to the assistance confidentially provided to them by CCS. This all-volunteer 501.c.3 non-profit organization also runs the town’s Food Pantry. All services are provided to clients without regard to religious affiliation, if any.

The CCS Food Pantry is located in Town Hall on the converted stage of the former school’s auditorium/gymnasium. It is open on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and on the first and third Monday evenings of the month. It serves over 100 clients per month, helping those who need a hand up stretch their household budget.

Food Pantry donations are gladly accepted year-round. CCS is grateful for the various food drives run by countless organizations and individuals throughout the year.

Now that the fund is closed, any donor who did not see his or her donation acknowledged in the newspaper during the past several weeks is asked to contact us (nrtranscript@rcn.com). We’ll double check our records and consult with CCS and Reading Coop Bank and make any necessary adjustments in the acknowledgements.

Transcript’s 2018 NHNF donor list, Week 7:

• In memory of Paul A. Nelson Sr. …………………….….$100

• Dennis and Mary Moore……..…………………………$100

• From Joey the Elf (on the shelf) in honor of Happy the Elf of North Reading, the North Pole, Happy Holidays!………………………………………..….………..….…$100

• John and Joanne Allan………………………….….….$50

• Kathy and Robert Willis…………………………….….$50

• Prusik Painting Co., Frank Prusik, President..……$250

• Caroline B. Smith………………………….……………$100

• Horseshoe Grille and the Lee Family………………….$550

• The Jewelry Vault…..…………………………………..$500

• In memory of Fredrik & Elna Peterson; Jean & Walter Chambers; Baden “Sonny” West and Robert J. Edkins ……………………………………………………………….…..$1,000

• From 24! ………………………………………..….….$24.24

Previously acknowledged …………………….….$36,187

Week 7 subtotal.………………………………….$2,824.24

Final NHNF 2018 total………………….………$39,011.24