By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — The Christmas spirit shines brightly throughout town thanks to the continued generosity of our readers whose response to our Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund (NHNF) has enabled the tally to reach $18,360!
This week, the NHNF was enhanced significantly by an additional $3,935 in donations from 25 donors, including a $1,000 donation from the Knights of Columbus, North Reading Council No. 4544, and $300 from Brosseau Construction.
Each donation is significant regardless of the amount and will be truly put to good use on behalf of the families and individuals served by the volunteers at Christian Community Service (CCS). These folks help to make sure the town’s most vulnerable residents not only have their basic needs met but they also know their neighbors care about them by providing lovingly prepared gift baskets filled with all the fixings to make a wonderful Christmas dinner and a few special gifts to put under their Christmas tree. They even ensure that those who do not have family nearby or are unable to cook a large meal are provided with a hot, fresh meal on delivered on Christmas Day.
Donors to the NHNF can be assured that 100 percent of all donations sent to the fund are given to CCS, which operates the North Reading Food Pantry at 150 Haverhill St., and also provides emergency financial support all year long. All services provided by CCS are offered on the basis of financial need, not religious affiliation, in any, and 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, as CCS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Donations of $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.
Please make all checks payable to “CCS,” not the newspaper!
Mail checks to: North Reading Transcript “NHNF,” 26 Albion St., Wakefield MA 01880. You may also drop them off in person to our office 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.
Or, drop off your check in person to the Reading Coop Bank’s 170 Park St. branch (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 for acknowledgement 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.
Transcript 2023 NHNF donor list
- Knights of Columbus, North Reading Council No. 4544– $1,000
- Merry Christmas from Brosseau Construction– $300
- From Chuck & Marianne Carucci– $250
- In memory of Teresa O’Connor– $250
- Anonymous Elf– $250
- In Loving Memory of Joe & Alice Sadlow– $200
- From Noel & Tricia– $200
- From Dick & Pat Panaro– $150
- From Josh & Megan– $100
- From Becca & Taylor– $100
- From Tommy, Devin & Michael– $100
- From The Thomson Family– $100
- From A Touch of Class– $100
- In memory of Joseph Dardano– $100
- In memory of our parents from Diane & Phil Norris– $100
- From Ed & Lori McGrath– $100
- In memory of “Chippo” Merry Christmas 2023 from Eric & Ariel– $100
- In memory of Bonnie, Huey & Stomper– $75
- In loving memory of Holly Wade– $75
- In loving memory of Kerri Fernandez– $75
- Anonymous Snowman– $50
- Anonymous Angel– $50
- In memory of Bev & Don– $50
- From Stephen & Joy Hartwell– $50
- In memory of GiGi Benjamin– $10
WEEK 3 Subtotal ……………………………………$3,935
PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED ………………$14,425
NEW TOTAL ………………………………………..$18,360