Father in prison asks for Empty Stocking Fund to help children

A father who is in prison has written to The Salvation Army about his four children receiving gifts this year.

Although he has made some bad choices, he wants to spare his children from the heartache of not having presents from Santa.

The Empty Stocking Fund is here to help bring smiles to this family.

The Empty Stocking Fund is a project of the Salvation Army and the Sun Journal.

Donations can be made at the Salvation Army's main office at 1402 Rhem Ave. in New Bern from 9 a.m. to noon or from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or at the Sun Journal at 3200 Wellons Blvd. in New Bern from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Checks made out to the Empty Stocking Fund can be mailed to the Salvation Army at P.O. Drawer E, New Bern, N.C. 28563 or to the Sun Journal at P.O. Box 1149, New Bern N.C. 28563.

For more information, call the Salvation Army at 637-2277.

Donations reported Wednesday:

•  $500, Anonymous
•  $500, Anonymous
•  $500, Anonymous
•  $500, Anonymous
•  $200, Anonymous, in memory of Detective Donald Miller, New Bern Police Department
•  $200, Anonymous
•  $200, Anonymous
•  $100, The Greenbrier Gazette
•  $100, E.W. and B.J. Buschhaus
•  $100, Anonymous
•  $100, Anonymous
•  $100, Albert and Marion Friedlander
•  $50, B3njamine Loyd in memory of Grannie Strickland
•  $25, James and Rita Ruzicka
•  $200, Allen Hardison
•  $80, Ernest and Sandra Marquez
•  $250, Tyson & Hines Investments

Total monetary donations to date: $5,585.