Empty Stocking Fund campaign starts Friday

The holiday season may be a happy time for most, but there are some who can still use a little help. Illness and job loss have no respect for the season and can take a toll on families, especially on children.

This year, more than 200 area families have turned to the Salvation Army for help in making it a merry Christmas for their children. And, as it has for years, the Clovis News Journal has teamed up with the Salvation Army to help ensure area children have a special holiday.

Friday marks the first day of this year’s Empty Stocking, a joint effort by the Clovis News Journal and the Salvation Army.

Each day until Christmas, a local family in need of assistance for the holidays will be profiled on the front page. Donations for these families will be accepted through the end of the year.

Additionally, angel tags for children of these families will also be placed on trees at North Plains Mall, the Curry County Courthouse and Diamonds Evermore. Toys for these children, age 12 and under, can be dropped off with the angel tag at any of those locations and the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

The Salvation Army’s new Director Kelly Berggren said the agency needs gifts for 500 children this year. At least 225 families have signed up for help, he said.

Families must meet special qualifications established by the Salvation Army and many are working to move past their needs with a focus on the future.

For information on donating to the Salvation Army Christmas project, call Berggren at 762-3801,

The Clovis News Journal is accepting Empty Stocking Fund donations at the newspaper office at 521 Pile St.

Donations can be mailed to the CNJ at P.O. Box 1689, Clovis, N.M. 88102. Envelopes should be clearly marked “Empty Stocking Fund.” Checks must be payable to The Salvation Army.

All contributions will be forwarded to the Salvation Army.

The Clovis News Journal will continue accepting donations until the end of the year.