By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Donations from generous donors have begun to arrive to the Transcript’s 35th annual Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund, with the tally totaling $3,055 at press time.

Three anonymous donors – Kris Kringle, The Grinch and Frosty – gave $500 apiece and many donations were received in memory of loved ones.

Due to the shortened season of giving this year, we will extend our NHNF drive through to “Little Christmas,” which is Monday, January 6, 2025.

As always, 100 percent of the donations to the NHNF are passed along to the town’s all-volunteer nonprofit organization, Christian Community Service (CCS), which runs the North Reading Food Pantry at 150 Haverhill Street. CCS, thanks to its vast network of loyal volunteers throughout the decades, also provides confidential emergency financial support year-round to its clients along with warm winter clothes, Christmas gifts and toys for the children, gift baskets with all the fixings for Christmas and Thanksgiving, and hot meals on holidays for shut-ins. Other CCS drives are conducted throughout the year such as meeting the back-to-school needs for the children of the clients.

All services provided by CCS are offered on the basis of financial need, not religious affiliation, if any. Requests for assistance are held in strict confidentiality.

CCS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and no one affiliated with this group has ever drawn a salary.

How to donate to NHNF

The Transcript will acknowledge each donation received in print and pass all donations to CCS. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law under the non-profit status of CCS. Those donating $250 or more automatically receive a receipt in the mail. Upon request, a receipt will be sent to those giving less than $250. The donor must provide a valid name and address for the receipt to be mailed.

If you wish to remain anonymous please indicate that fact in the memo area of your check. You may also make donations in honor of or in memory of friends or loved ones.

Make all checks payable to “CCS,” not the newspaper!

Checks may be mailed to: North Reading Transcript “NHNF,” 26 Albion St., Wakefield MA 01880. You may also drop them off in person to our office at the above address from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon-Thu or 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Fridays, or use the night drop box slot opposite the door facing Albion Street after hours.

Additionally, checks or cash may be dropped off in person to the Reading Cooperative Bank, 170 Park St. (next to Ryer’s). You must specify to the bank teller your intention to make a donation to the Transcript’s NHNF to ensure it is recorded on the daily tally sheet that is sent to us to acknowledge in the newspaper. You must also let them know whether to use your name in the newspaper or if you prefer to remain anonymous and if your donation is in honor of or in memory a loved one.

Please do not mail your checks overnight in any of the blue USPS mailboxes. It is much safer to mail letters inside the post office building during business hours or give it to your letter carrier to deliver.

Transcript 2024 NHNF donor list

• Kris Kringle – $500

• From The Grinch – $500

• Anonymous “Frosty” – $500

• Michael J. Scarlata – $300

• In loving memory of Donald G.W. and Irene A. Daniel – $250

• Anonymous “Rudolph” – $250

• In memory of John Wiklanski – $155

• In loving memory of Paul Horan – $100

• In memory of Bob and David Mauceri – $100

• in loving memory of Mark M. Exum and in honor of his 63rd birthday, which he would have celebrated on Christmas Day, from Donna and Mike Hennessey – $100

• In loving memory of Holly Wade – $100

• In loving memory of Kerri Fernandez – $50

• In loving memory of Karen St. Pierre – $50

• In memory of Dick Smith – $50

• From Stephen A. Hartwell – $50

WEEK 1 total…………………….$3,055