By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Our neighbors in need have true friends in their hometown upon whom they can depend when times are tough. This was demonstrated again this week each time another check arrived at our office in support of the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund (NHNF).

These donations totaled $4,805 to bring the fund to its current tally of $17,400 in just three weeks!

Launched during the Christmas season 32 years ago by your hometown newspaper to help our neighbors get through rough financial times brought about by the Persian Gulf War, support for the fund has remained strong for more than three decades because it benefits such a trustworthy local organization, the nonprofit Christian Community Service (CCS). Run entirely by volunteers, CCS operates the town’s Food Pantry at 150 Haverhill St. and provides vital financial aid to ensure families or individuals who live in town can make ends. Assistance is based on need and is not influenced by one’s religious affiliation, if any.

Among those giving generously this week were the Knights of Columbus and David E. Donnelly, both giving donations of $1,000.

Many “in memoriam donations” were also given and this list includes many familiar names of residents who generously gave back to the town during the years that they lived here and who helped make North Reading the community that its current residents treasure today.

Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted to the NHNF as the tough times are not over and more people are seeking out the services CCS provides.

CCS volunteers ensure that North Reading residents struggling to make ends meet won’t go hungry and the food assistance offered by the pantry frees up their funds to pay other bills. But when clients still come up short in meeting those obligations, funds raised through the NHNF are available year-round to help close that gap to get them over the hump. Such payments are made directly to the company to cover those outstanding bills, such as to a landlord or a utility company.

Do something nice, twice

The Horseshoe Grille, 226 Main St., continues to offer its patrons a chance to give back to the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund for those who “do something nice, twice.” Originated by former owners Pat and Kathi Lee, it is being continued by the new owners, Brad Atkinson, Ryan Cox and Noah Goldstein.

This is how it works: Patrons who purchase $100 in gift cards to the Horseshoe during the holiday season are eligible to receive a $20 gift certificate for themselves to use at the restaurant. However, upon request, the restaurant will donate the $20 face value of the give-back certificate to the NHNF and CCS. At the conclusion of their holiday gift card sales, the Horseshoe will  match the funds and write a check representing the funds raised. The Transcript will acknowledge the total donation from the challenge when we conclude the fund for the season just after the new year.

It’s easy to donate!

It’s easy to donate to the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund. As promised, the Transcript will acknowledge each donation received in print and pass them on to CCS. All donations are tax deductible as CCS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Those who donate $250 or more will be automatically mailed a tax receipt. CCS will provide receipts upon request for donations under $250 if the donor provides a name and address.

Donors are welcome to dedicate their donations to a loved one; simply include a note with your check. If you wish to remain anonymous please let us know. Over the years many donors have consistently made anonymous donations and that choice is always respected. To help keep the weekly tally straight we may add a word such as “anonymous snowman” to differentiate between various anonymous donors, especially if the amounts are the same.

Make checks payable to CCS

Please make checks payable to “Christian Community Service” or “CCS,” not to the newspaper. Checks may be mailed to the North Reading Transcript “NHNF” at 26 Albion St., Wakefield, MA 01880.

You may also drop donations off in person at our office at the above address in downtown Wakefield (a night drop box is located opposite the front door for contactless donations).

Those who wish to drop off their donation in person closer to home may also do so at the North Reading branch of the Reading Cooperative Bank, 170 Park St. (next to Ryer’s Store). Please specify to the bank teller your intention to donate to the Transcript’s “Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund” to ensure it is recorded on the tally sheet as you would like it to appear in print. The bank forwards these sheets to us for acknowledgement in the newspaper.

Transcript 2021 NHNF donor list, week 3:

• From David & Mary-Anita Bragdon— $300

• From North Reading Knights of Columbus in memory of our deceased members — $1,000

• From David E. Donnelly— $1,000

• Anonymous Elf— $500

• Remembering Family & Friends, especially JoAnne Prince, Marcel Fontaine & Jon Kanch— $300

• Merry Christmas from Bill & Sheila Berry— $200

• In memory of The Lovely Jessica Graham from Andy and Tracy— $150

• In loving memory of Paul A. Nelson, Sr. & Michael Udall— $150

• From Dick & Pat Panaro— $150

• In memory of our parents from Diane and Phil Norris— $125

• In loving memory of Howard M. Ash, Jr.— $100

• In memory of Philip Cullen Jr. & Sr.— $100

• In memory of Barbara and Paul Titus— $100

• In memory of “Chippo” from Eric & Ariel— $100

• From Ed & Lori McGrath— $100

• In memory of Bob Howard— $50

• In memory of Dan O’Donnell— $50

• From Lois Marra— $50

• From James & Patricia Keck— $50

• From Stephen & Joy Hartwell— $50

• From Marsha P. Oest— $50

• From Susan & Michael Barker— $50

• Merry Christmas!— $40

• In memory of Armand, Lena and Helena Valente— $25

• In memory of Frank Kenrick— $15

Week 3 subtotal— ……………$4,805

Previously acknowledged— $12,595

New total—…………………… $17,400