VALDOSTA — The Empty Stocking Fund needs your help. There are many local stockings to fill this year.

As of last weekend, more than 1,720 children had been registered to receive gifts through the Empty Stocking Fund, said Salvation Army Capt. Guy Nickum.

This time last year, only 1,044 children had registered.

For generations, thousands of area children from Valdosta and Lowndes County have had a Merry Christmas with help from the readers of The Valdosta Daily Times and the annual Empty Stocking Fund.

As it has for decades and generations, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Empty Stocking Fund, sponsored by The Valdosta Daily Times, the local Salvation Army, and Guardian Bank.

Last year, the fund raised more than $23,000 for Christmas toys for Valdosta-Lowndes County children. Given the state of the economy, Santa Claus may need a bigger helping hand this year aiding even more youngsters.

“The Empty Stocking Fund has guaranteed that generations of Valdosta and Lowndes County children have not had to wake up Christmas morning to find an empty stocking or no toys under the Christmas tree,” said The Valdosta Daily Times Publisher J.H. “Sandy” Sanders. “The fund has been consistently successful for years and years through the generosity of our readers and people throughout our community. Each year, the community fills the Empty Stocking, and it is time to do so once again.”

The fund kicks off again this year, as it has for many years, with the opening donation of James Massey. Interest from the Massey account is the official first donation listed each year.

This year, the Salvation Army is adding a new dimension to the Empty Stocking Fund.

For their first year at Valdosta’s Salvation Army, Capts. Guy and Monica Nickum will supplement the Empty Stocking Fund with the Angel Tree program.

Instead of shopping for all of the children and purchasing gender-specific toys for registered boys and girls, the Salvation Army will enlist local businesses and organizations to appeal to area individuals to help local children, Monica Nickum said.

The “angels” of the Angel Tree are the registered children. A bank or office, for example, can pick up several angels. Each angel includes a child’s name and lists of toys wanted, the child’s clothing sizes, and something the child needs like a blanket or school supplies. Individual employees or staff can select an angel then purchase the items for the child.

Information for children not selected will return to the Salvation Army, and Salvation Army personnel will use the Empty Stocking funds and toys collected in the annual motorcycle drive to make those children’s Christmas wishes come true.

To donate to the Empty Stocking Fund, send contributions to: Empty Stocking Fund, c/o Margie Blanton or Jim Hennly, Guardian Bank, P.O. Box 3340, Valdosta, Ga. 31604. More information on participating in the Angel Tree, call the Salvation Army, (229) 242-6440.