Donors to the Empty Stocking Fund raised $156,000. Families left notes of gratitude.

Charlotte Observer readers donated more than $156,000 so far this holiday season to the newspaper’s Empty Stocking Fund that helps area children and seniors in need receive items on their Christmas wish lists.

Some readers donated on behalf of their book clubs or grandchildren. Others gave anonymously in amounts large and small.

For three days straight on the week before Christmas, 200 people an hour streamed into the Salvation Army’s Christmas Center to pick up gifts for children and senior citizens whom donors had “adopted” off angel trees during the holiday season.

Some families picking up gifts were struggling with job losses and homelessness. Others, with grief and sorrow.

On a table in the room where they waited to pick up their gifts sat a stack of cards, a pile of pens and a wrapped box with a slit in the top, alongside a sign inviting them to write a note to donors who had filled their loved ones’ wish lists.

By the end of the third day, dozens of notes filled the box — some in English, some in Spanish.

“Thank you for your generosity and your kindness. Christmas this year wouldn’t be the same without you. You made my kid’s Christmas gift vision possible. – Mother of 3 little ones on a tight budget,” wrote one mom.

Wrote another: “Thank you so much for the time, thought and blessings you have given to my family this Christmas season. It is all so much appreciated!”

‘It means so much’

This year, some 6,542 children were registered to receive toys and clothes through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which matches children in need with anonymous donors who buy the gifts.

Some 1,547 senior citizens also received gifts this Christmas. And 925 gift cards were distributed to agencies serving foster children and children and adults with disabilities.

In cases where donors didn’t step up, Charlotte Observer readers covered the expense by giving to the Empty Stocking Fund. Money raised by last year’s Empty Stocking Fund allowed the Salvation Army to purchase 11,541 toys and 590 gifts for low-income seniors, in addition to the 925 gift cards.

One person wrote in to thank donors for gifts given to a senior citizen mother:

“It means so much to my mother that a stranger cared enough to surprise her for Christmas. This event is so big and organized. Thank you to the donors, volunteers and the Salvation Army for bringing cheer to the needy.”

Thank-you cards

This is the first year the Salvation Army has provided a spot for gift recipients to write thank-you cards to donors.

Major Larry Broome, who serves as the area commander of the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte along with his wife, Debra, expressed his gratefulness for the community’s generosity.

“Every year, we are amazed at how the Charlotte community comes together in a massive display of generosity and kindness,” Broome said. “Each person we serve is a child of God, longing to experience the hope and joy the Christmas season represents. Thanks to the generosity of Charlotte residents this year, they have.”

This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 5:30 AM.