Twenty five years ago, The Commercial began hosting a fundraising project to help children in need in the community.
Known as the Christmas Card Fund, the project is among several programs in the Pine Bluff area which benefits people who are less fortunate or who find themselves in need after facing obstacles.
Some of those obstacles could include a house fire which takes all a family’s worldly possessions or a job loss for the breadwinner in the household.
Schools may see children who need coats, shoes or even uniforms and have no where else to turn to meet those needs.
When problems like these occur, schools have an opportunity to lend a helping hand by turning to the Christmas Card Fund, thanks to the generosity of those who give.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Throughout the years, The Commercial has heard lots of stories about how the fund has been used to help students in Dollarway, Pine Bluff, White Hall and Watson Chapel school districts.
It seems lots of people want to help. Students in some schools hold contests to see who can raise the most money for the fund and people in local choirs, social organizations or classrooms have brought donations to the newspaper in hopes of helping needy children.
All proceeds from the fund will benefit children since The Commercial doesn’t keep any of the money for administrative costs.
In 2011, the fund raised $8,448.35 and by Friday afternoon, the fund had reached $3,086.
People contributing at least $1 by Wednesday will have their names printed on a Christmas Card that will be published in the newspaper before Christmas Day.
Donors may send contributions 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.
For those submitting a long list with names from classrooms or other organizations, The Commercial asks that the list be submitted by email to rbaldwin@pbcommercial.com on the same day the money is turned into the newspaper.