How generous Charlotte Observer readers helped kids in need during the holidays
Charlotte Observer readers donated nearly $84,400 to the paper’s Empty Stocking Fund this holiday season to help local families in need, Salvation Army officials said this week.
The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte’s Angel Tree program matches children in need with anonymous donors who buy them presents for Christmas, and provides senior citizens with gifts. In cases where donors didn’t step up, Charlotte Observer readers covered the expense by giving to the Empty Stocking Fund.
The Observer has sponsored the Empty Stocking Fund since about 1920. In the past seven years, the Empty Stocking Fund has raised more than $1.2 million thanks to Observer readers and their generous spirit. This year’s total was $84,391.
The Angel Tree program helped 1,719 families in Mecklenburg and Union counties this holiday season, including 3,670 children, Salvation Army officials said.
‘A lot of happy children on Christmas morning’
Financial giving to the Empty Stocking Fund was down about 29% from the $118,405 given last year, Salvation Army spokesman Brent Rinehart said, although a few donations could still be forthcoming.
“It’s impossible to pinpoint fluctuations from year to year in the total giving to the campaign. Some years it has been higher than others,” Rinehart said. “It could be economic uncertainty and rising costs impacting donors, just as it impacts those we serve.
“Regardless, we know this: We can’t support those in need in our community without everyone coming together. Donors to the Empty Stocking Fund this year helped us ensure there were a lot of happy children on Christmas morning.”
Supporters of The Charlotte Observer Empty Stocking Fund have donated millions of dollars over more than a century, according to The Salvation Army.
Angel Tree program helped thousands
In addition to helping kids and their families, the Angel tree program gave gift cards this season to 1,362 seniors and 416 people with disabilities, Rinehart said.
Money from the 2024 Empty Stocking Fund campaign bought 4,604 toys for this year’s effort, as well as more than 700 gift cards for seniors, foster children and adults with disabilities, Salvation Army figures show.
This year, 230 people gave to the Empty Stocking Fund campaign, Rinehart said. That averages to $367 per donor.
Also this year, nearly 1,000 volunteers contributed more than 3,500 hours organizing, sorting, packing and distributing gifts at the Salvation Army Christmas Center.
More than 3,000 donors adopted children from the Angel Tree in Charlotte this year, spending an average of more than $160, Rinehart said.
And nearly 800 bikes were distributed, thanks to community donations and support from Charlotte nonprofit The Spokes Group.
How to donate
To donate online, visit EmptyStockingFundCLT.org.
To donate by mail, send checks to: The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, PO Box 31128, Charlotte NC 28231. Make checks payable to The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte and write “Empty Stocking Fund” in the memo line.
Questions concerning your donation? Call 704-334-4731.
