Principal Beth Joslin of Moody Elementary School in White Hall is grateful for the flexibility offered by the Christmas Card Fund which helps children in all four local school districts.
“The Christmas Card Fund allows schools to help students when they see the need,” Joslin said. “A lot of other funds have specific requirements as to how the money should be spent, but The Commercial’s Fund allows us to help out as we see a need develop.”
“In the past, we have helped families pay electric bills, water bills and other utilities,” Joslin said. “Particularly with younger students they will tell you things about what is happening at home. They will come in and tell their teacher that they don’t have lights or don’t have water at home, and that is when we will step in and provide assistance through the Christmas Card Fund.”
Food, clothes and shoes have also been provided, she said.
“Sometimes students will come in with shoes that are too little or too big for them and if we find out that their familiy is struggling to pay for shoes we will help them. I have told parents that they can take a child to the dentist and we will pay for the visit out of the fund if the family cannot afford to do so.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The unexpected happens at times and the fund is used.
“We have had times when a student’s house burns down and we were able to buy clothes for the children with money from the fund,” Joslin said.”The Christmas Card Fund really does help; it honestly helps the children.”
“Every year we help at least 10 children and often more than that,” Joslin said. “Last year we didn’t receive as much money from the fund probably because of the economy, but every year we spend all of the money that we get from the fund on students in need.”
For 24 years, The Commercial has sponsored the Christmas Card Fund to help needy children or those who face unusual circumstances such as a house fire, medical need or other issues.
The newspaper holds the fundraiser between Thanksgiving and Christmas and all proceeds are divided between the White Hall, Watson Chapel, Dollarway and Pine Bluff school districts to help children with needs. Thousands of dollars have been raised throughout the years. There’s no administration costs at the newspaper and all the proceeds go to the schools.
Donors who contribute at least $1 by Dec. 16 will have their names published on a Christmas Card in the newspaper which will run before Christmas Day.
Interested participants may send donations to The Commercial’s Christmas Card Fund, c/o Pine Bluff Commercial, P.O. Box 6469, Pine Bluff, AR, 71611. Donations may also be brought to the office at 300 Beech St., weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.