Published in the December 17, 2015 edition

By BOB TUROSZ

NORTH READING — It’s hard to believe there are only eight short days left until Christmas. But what’s not hard to believe – because we have concrete proof of it every year – is the generosity of the North Reading community.

Once again, the folks who live in this town and the readers of this newspaper, have opened their hearts and extended a helping hand to their fellow residents, donating over $17,000 to the Christian Community Service’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund.

This is only the third full week the fund has been open. But those readers who want to make it a season of comfort and joy for their fellow residents donated over $3,000 this week alone, in monetary sums large and small, helped by a generous donation of $1,000 in memory of Donna Gail DeSousa. All gift are equally appreciated and urgently needed as the town’s Christian Community Service works year round to help North Reading residents – our neighbors – who need assistance. That is the purpose of the Christian Community Service, a charitable organization that runs the town’s Food Pantry and is made up of representatives of all the town’s churches.

The Transcript’s annual appeal for donations to the Neighbor Fund has become an important basis of the CCS’ efforts to offer aid to the town’s needy residents 12 months a year. Last year, the readers of this newspaper donated an incredibly generous $32,000 to the Neighbor Fund. All of that money stayed here in town to help our needy friends and neighbors.

Horseshoe Grille special offer

New this year, customers purchasing a $100 gift card to the Horseshoe Grille from now through Christmas Eve will have the option of donating a $20 gift card to the Christian Community Service. Every year, patrons purchasing a $100 gift card to the Horseshoe have received a $20 gift card for their own use in return. This year, they have the option of pledging their $20 gift card to the CCS, with Horseshoe owner Pat Lee writing a check to the CCS/Neighbor Fund at the end of the promotion.

The CCS is a non–denominational, non–profit organization. Donations are tax deductible and a tax receipt will be furnished to anyone who requests one. Receipts are automatically mailed for donations of $250 or more.

Donations accepted at Reading Co–operative Bank

All donations will be acknowledged in the Transcript. Donations may be mailed to the Transcript at P.O. Box 7, North Reading MA 01864. For those who prefer to drop off a donation in person, donations may be left at the Reading Co–operative Bank, 170 Park St.

Checks should be made payable to the Christian Community Service or “CCS,” not the newspaper.

Help make the 2015 Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund drive the most successful ever.

• Benjamin & Judith Sands………………………………………………..$300

• Mary–Anita Bragdon……………………………………………………$300

• In loving memory of Michael M. Lally…………………………….…..$100

• Mike & Heidi Cady…………………………………………………….…$50

• In loving memory of my husband, Richard Murray…………………..$50

• In loving memory of our parents, Charles & Rita Russell……………$50

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

• In memory of Jim Atkins……………………………………………… $25

• In loving memory of Paul Horan…………………………………….$100

• Earl & Doris Florence…………………………………………………$300

• Jean Bashore & Susan Rynne………………………………………$100

• In memory of Donna Gail DeSousa……………………………….$1,000

• Stephen & Joy Hartwell…………………………………………………$50

• Dick & Pat Panaro………………………………………………………$100

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

• Susan & Jacob Mosser…………………………………………………$100

• Dana & Marlene Freeman………………………………………………………$100

• Linden J. Hayes Wilmington…………………………………………………….$50

• John & Ellen Wiklanski…………………………………………………………..$55

• In loving memory of Donny……………………………………………………..$100

• In memory of Phil Kerrigan Jr. Love always……………………………..$150

Total Donations this week ……………………………………………….$3,280

Previously acknowledged………………………………………….….$14,350

Total as of Dec. 14……………………………………………………$17,630