Our Opinion: Don’t forget to give to Empty Stocking Fund

Readers have been generous again this year in supporting The Empty Stocking Fund. As of today, $17,669.24 has been donated, compared to $18,881.99 collected at this time last year.

The Salvation Army uses the Empty Stocking Fund donations to buy gift certificates for toys and other items for children whose families are experiencing tough times. The thinking behind the fund is that every child should be able to wake up on Christmas Day and have a present under the tree.

The deadline for making donations is Friday. We hope to see a deluge of contributions between now and then, giving us a bigger total than last year’s. Please open your heart this year to make someone else’s Christmas a little brighter.

Send your donations to:

Jim Hennly

Guardian Bank

P.O. Box 3340

Valdosta, Ga. 31604-3340

Donations also will be accepted at The Times,

P.O. Box 968, Valdosta, Ga. 31603.