Published in the November 25, 2015 edition
By BOB TUROSZ
NORTH READING — At this time of year, fresh off Thanksgiving and with Christmas fast approaching, it’s important to remember that even in a fairly affluent town like North Reading, there are many needy residents who struggle to make ends meet 12 months of the year.
North Reading is fortunate to have an organization like the Christian Community Service, which is dedicated to helping local townspeople with goods, services and emergency help not just at Christmas but throughout the year.
And now, for the 26th consecutive year, the Transcript is proud to renew its annual public appeal for donations to the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund to aid needy families here in town – not just at Christmas but throughout the year.
The Christian Community Service is a volunteer organization made up of members from all of the town’s churches. The CCS runs the North Reading Food Pantry located in town hall that serves nearly 300 clients every month – a statistic that shows the need for CCS and its services including the Food Pantry, are very real and here to stay.
Horseshoe pitches in with gift card offer
New this year, customers purchasing a $100 gift card to the Horseshoe Grille between Black Friday and 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. (See other story).
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.
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.
