Christmas Spirit in Kentucky

The Christmas Spirit

Volunteers spend hours wrapping presents for needy children

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Volunteers spent hours wrapping Christmas presents for the Empty Stocking Fund Monday night — presents that will be in the hands of needy children by this afternoon.

“We just had so much good fortune for ourselves, we just want to give something back,” said volunteer wrapper Trish Webb, a mountain of Barbie dolls by her side. “...There’s so many children who don’t have anything for this time of year, and it’s just nice to be able to see them get something and be excited about it.”

Sarah Tipton, a Rotarian scholar now studying at Transylvania University, has been wrapping Empty Stocking toys since she was seven years old.

“I just feel like it’s a good way to give back and it’s something anyone can do,” she said. “Anyone can wrap gifts.”

The annual Empty Stocking program, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Corbin and the Times-Tribune, will serve just under 700 children from the Corbin area this year. Organizer Joe Caldwell said 795 children signed up but only 681 were ultimately able to be served by the program. Those remaining, he said, were referred to other charities in the area that provide Christmas gifts.

“Right now, community-wide, through Empty Stocking Fund, Grace on the Hill, Sacred Heart, T.J. Memorial Toy Run and American Legion Auxiliary, we’re at 1,318 children, total” being served, said organizer Christina Bentley.

The toys purchased with Empty Stocking donations will be distributed to children today at a Christmas party at Forest Lanes in Corbin. Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo is expected to make an appearance and help distribute some of the toys.

Additionally, 34 bicycles and helmets donated by Waste Connections in Laurel County will also be raffled off among participating children in the appropriate age range.

The Rotary Club spent more money on toys than they had raised, and organizers are counting on additional donations to trickle in to the Empty Stocking Fund before the end of the year.

“We are probably $10,000 short of our goal right now, but ... last year we got money after the Christmas party from people who were able to sit down and write checks and took them as a tax deduction... We got $8,000 or $9,000 last year,” Caldwell said.

People who want to help provide Christmas gifts to needy children should mail checks payable to Southeast Kentucky Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 1789, Corbin, KY 40702-1789. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, call Rotary Club members Christina Bentley, 528-7523 or Joe Caldwell, 606-878-7935.