Published in the December 14, 2017 edition

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — A steady stream of generous donations to the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund has pushed the current total to over $11,000 in the past week.

Large or small, anonymous or given in memory of a loved one, each donation will be acknowledged in the Transcript each week and is greatly appreciated. 

The funds raised during the Christmas season by the readers of this newspaper help to ensure that the volunteers at Christian Community Service (CCS) can offer year-round assistance to those families and individuals in town who need it most. Be assured that your generosity truly makes a difference in the lives of those who are struggling to get by paycheck to paycheck. 

The groceries they receive at the Food Pantry on a bi-weekly basis enable them to put those dollars saved toward other necessities of life, such as rent, utilities and automobile maintenance, and thus they can keep a roof over their head, food on their table, the lights on, and get to and from their job.

CCS is non-denominational and provides assistance to all clients without regard to one’s religious affiliation, if any.

Horseshoe give-back 

Pat and Kathi Lee, proprietors of the Horseshoe Grille, 226 Main St., are once again offering patrons a chance to give back to the Transcript’s Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund. During the Christmas season, for every $100 spent on gift cards to the restaurant the Horseshoe offers a $20 voucher back to the purchaser. Simply let the clerk know that you’d prefer to apply the $20 face value of that voucher toward a donation to the Transcript’s Christmas fund. At the end of the holiday season the Lees will write a check to CCS representing the funds donated by their patrons through this incentive.

How to donate:

Donations to CCS are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. CCS automatically provides receipts to those who donate $250 or more. Tax receipts for donations of any amount will be provided upon request by the donor.

The Transcript will acknowledge all donations in the newspaper each week. Checks should be made payable to “Christian Community Service” or “CCS,” not to the newspaper. Mail checks to: North Reading Transcript, P.O. Box 7, North Reading, MA 01864.

Those who wish to drop of their donations in person may do so at the North Reading branch of the Reading Cooperative Bank, 170 Park St. (next to Ryer’s Store).

2017 NHNF donors

• Ben & Judith Sands$300

• Donald & Doris Henchey$100

• Dana & Marlene Freeman $100

• Lorraine & Joe Hayes$50

• Jane & Jack Hudgins$10

• In loving memory of Paul A. Nelson, Sr$100

• In memory of Chippo with love from Eric & Ariel$100

• Mary-Anita and David Bragdon$300

• Tony & Marilyn Sacco$25

• In memory of Bob Howard$50

• Anonymous Santa’s Helper$250

• Marsha P. Oest$25

• Susan & Jacob Mosser$100

• Merry Christmas from Joleen & Dick Ham $50

• In memory of John & Bonnie Simes$300

• Eleanor Barrasso$100

• Joanne & Charles Emma$25

Week 3 subtotal$1,985

Previously acknowledged$9,150

New total$11,135