Published December 10, 2020
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — The Christmas season of giving is alive and well in our town!
During the past week, more than $15,000 was donated to the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund (NHNF), thus ensuring that dozens of families and individuals struggling to make ends meet during these precarious times will have the benefit of the financial support provided by Christian Community Service (CCS) to help them through it.
Assisting us in this endeavor are many particularly noteworthy donations this week. Among them are two $5,000 donations, one from longtime residents Gita and Indu Muni and the other from the members of the International Family Church on Concord Street.
The family of Timothy Alexander Chaloux remembered their son and brother with a donation of $1,000. The late Transcript founder, editor and publisher Albert E. Sylvia, Sr. and his wife Frances were remembered by their son, Al Jr., with a $450 donation. Al Sylvia Sr. began the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund 31 years ago at the request of former CCS chairwoman Annie Didsbury. The NHNF has been a staple for CCS and its Food Pantry throughout these past decades.
CCS runs the town’s Food Pantry year-round, provides Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner baskets to Food Pantry clients, and gives gifts of warm clothing and special toys at the holidays to the children of its clients. Additionally, CCS provides emergency financial aid to clients with a demonstrated need. All donations are graciously accepted to support CCS which is a 100 percent volunteer-run non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Do something nice, twice
The Horseshoe Grille, 226 Main St., continues to offer its patrons a chance to give back to the NHNF for those who “do something nice, twice.” This program is offered by Pat and Kathi Lee, owners of the Horseshoe. Those who purchase $100 in gift cards to their restaurant 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 the Lees will also match those funds. The Transcript will acknowledge the total donation from the challenge when we conclude the fund for the season just after the new year.
How to donate
As promised, the Transcript will acknowledge each donation received in print and pass them on to CCS. All donations are tax deductible. 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.
And you can be assured that if you wish to remain anonymous your donation will truly remain so as confidentiality is guaranteed both in our handling of donations received and in the way in which donations are handled by CCS. Over the years there have been many donors who 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.
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.
Correction
Before we list this week’s donors, with sincere apologies we must make an important correction. The last name on a generous memorial donation was misprinted in last’s week’s story. The correct acknowledgement should have read: “In memory of Donald G.W. & Irene A. Daniel, Love, Don Daniel — $250.”
Transcript 2020 NHNF donor list, week 3:
• Gita & Indu Muni— $5,000
• Blessings from International Family Church— $5,000
• In loving memory of Timothy Alexander Chaloux, Love, Mom, Dad, Chris & Kate— $1,000
• From Al Sylvia Jr. in memory of Al and Frances— $450
• Kris Kringle— $300
• In memory of Ben Sands— $300
• Mary-Anita & David Bragdon— $300
• Remembering Dolores from Joe— $300
• In memory of DonnaGail DeSousa— $250
• In memory of Jean Cidlevicz— $250
• The LaRosa Family— $250
• In loving memory of Gene Barrasso— $250
• In honor of the Stack/Conway Family— $200
• Bill & Shelia Berry— $200
• In loving memory of Mazie— $150
• In loving memory of Paul Nelson, Sr. & Michael Udall— $150
• Susan & Jacob Mosser— $100
• In memory of Barbara and Paul Titus— $100
• In memory of the Lovely Jessica Graham, Love, Andy & Tracy Graham
• Lorraine & Joe Hayes— $100
• Janice & William Marshall— $100
• In loving memory of Holly Wade— $100
• From Roy & Christina Walters— $100
• From the Sampson Family— $100
• In memory of Bob Mauceri— $100
• D. Christopher Page— $100
• Joanne R. Holden— $100
• In memory of “Chippo,” Merry Christmas! Eric & Ariel
• Neighbors — Merry Christmas!— $50
Week 3 subtotal…………….. — $15,600
Previously acknowledged… — $11,810
New total ……………………… — $27,410
