Published in the November 22, 2017 edition
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — Thanks to the immense generosity of the readers of this newspaper, the Transcript has the good fortune to launch its 28th annual Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund this week in support of the year-round good works of Christian Community Service (CCS).
All of the funds donated to the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund throughout the holiday season directly benefit residents of North Reading who have fallen on hard times.
In addition to running the town’s Food Pantry year-round, which serves between 100-120 clients per month, the volunteers at the non-profit CCS have been busy providing Thanksgiving food baskets to about 95 families in town and they’ll be delivering hot meals on Thanksgiving Day to over 20 shut-ins.
They will then switch gears and begin focusing on helping to make the Christmas holiday more joyous for local youngsters in need with gifts of warm clothes and a few special gifts.
But the dedication of these volunteers does not end with the holiday season. They continue to provide essential services and emergency aid to help families and individuals throughout the year, all of which is made possible by your donations. CCS is non-denominational and provides assistance to all clients without regard to one’s religious affiliation, if any.
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. CCS automatically provides receipts to those who donate $250 or more. Tax receipt 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. They may be mailed to the Transcript at 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).
Let’s work together to make the 2017 Neighbor Fund drive the most successful it has ever been.
