Published December 20, 2018
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — With Christmas fast approaching, generous donations continue to arrive in our mailbox to support the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund which directly benefits the year-round good works by Christian Community Service (CCS).
Another 31 donors have stepped forward in the past week, contributing an additional $6,495 to the fund, which brings the current tally to $30,597.
CCS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers, is responsible for running the North Reading Food Pantry, which provides nutritious food and other essentials to town residents, helping clients stretch their family’s budget.
Monies donated to the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund (NHNF) also provide emergency financial assistance to enable clients to catch up on utility bills, rent or other needs on a case by case basis. These funds are paid directly to the third party on behalf of the CCS client. Additional services provided by CCS include holiday dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas (both gift baskets and meals to shut-ins), the Take-a-Tag program to provide Christmas gifts to children, and back-to-school backpacks filled with school supplies.
After 29 years, the Transcript’s campaign remains the single largest fundraiser of the year for CCS thanks to the generosity of our readers. It’s a rewarding task to assist CCS in its mission each year helping our neighbors in need.
AMAZON ROBOTICS of North Reading employees donated 200 Christmas gifts and Amazon gift cards to CCS out of the 800 gifts received through the Take-a-Tag program, helping to fulfill the Christmas wishes of children from the 110 families served by the North Reading Food Pantry. Employees volunteering to coordinate the effort included (front row) Margot Brown and Carrie Murphy and (back row) Kelly Lane, Jaclyn Gabrielli and Rebecca Mikulski. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
Our readers appreciate CCS as well, such as this anonymous donor who attached a note with her $300 donation to CCS and a request simply for it “to be used for your wonderful, important work helping people in our town. We really appreciate the work that you do!”
Take-a-Tag gift sponsorship
We’d also like to highlight another wonderful program supported by the community on behalf of CCS clients, the Take-a-Tag Christmas gift program. This Christmas, members of the community provided more than 800 gifts to CCS to ensure the holiday will be memorable and children can have their wishes fulfilled for some special gifts and warm clothes.
This initiative is organized by CCS Take-a-Tag Coordinator Beth Adams. “In addition to the tags we put in the Post Office, we also have many local businesses who take tags for their employees. Amazon is the largest donor. The Post Office gets about 100, the North Reading schools take about 200, and the other 500 are disbursed among the local businesses and local churches.”
Out of those 800-plus tags distributed throughout the community at large, the employees of Amazon Robotics stepped up to the challenge by purchasing more than 200 out of the 800 requested gifts.
There were so many gifts that Food Pantry volunteers Mike Boyle and John McKinnon drove the CCS box truck to Amazon’s North Reading headquarters at 300 Riverpark Drive to pick up the gifts, wrapping paper and Amazon gift cards which a half dozen employees helped carry and load onto the truck for distribution to grateful families. Throughout the year, Amazon employees also volunteer to help sort food and stock shelves and assist clients assisted by the Food Pantry.
Located in Town Hall behind the stage in the gymnasium, the Food Pantry is open on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the first and third Monday evenings each month from 7 to 8 p.m. Donors can drop off goods for the pantry in the Town Hall foyer, 235 North St., at the North Reading Post Office, 174 Park Street, at the Flint Memorial Library, 147 Park St., and at Stop & Shop, 265 Main St. Those with questions about the pantry may call 978-664-0040.
Horseshoe challenge
There’s a little over a week left in the Christmas challenge offered by Pat and Kathi Lee of the Horseshoe Grille for those purchasing gift cards to their restaurant. Those who purchase $100 in gift cards during the holiday season are eligible to receive a $20 gift certificate for themselves to use at the restaurant. However, upon request, the Lees 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 write a check representing the funds raised and we’ll acknowledge the donation in our weekly update.
How to donate
Donations to CCS are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. CCS automatically provides receipts to those who donate $250 or more. A tax receipt for donations of any amount will be provided upon request by the donor; please provide your name and address so that CCS may mail you a receipt.
CCS is non-denominational and provides assistance to all clients without regard to one’s religious affiliation, if any.
The Transcript will acknowledge all donations to the NHNF in the newspaper each week. We’ll be wrapping up this year’s fund drive New Year’s week so there is still time to donate. Checks should be made payable to “Christian Community Service” or “CCS” only, not to the newspaper. Mail donations to “Transcript NHNF,” P.O. Box 7, North Reading, MA 01864.
Those who wish to drop off their donations in person may do so at the North Reading branch of the Reading Cooperative Bank, 170 Park St. (next to Ryer’s Store). Please specify to the teller your intention to make a donation to the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund. Or stop by our office at 26 Albion St. in downtown Wakefield (there is a mail slot in the alcove opposite the front door if you arrive after-hours).
