Empty Stocking Fund raises $179K in 2017

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Volunteers help fill Empty Stocking Fund baskets on Dec. 23, 2017.

The final fundraising totals for the 2017 Empty Stocking Fund campaign are in. East Tennesseans raised more than $179,000 for the Empty Stocking Fund and more than $36,000 for the Milk Fund.

The News Sentinel Charities Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization established in 1975 to manage and govern the Empty Stocking Fund and the Milk Fund. It continues a tradition that began in 1912: to provide food and toys to disadvantaged East Tennesseans during the holidays. About 3,500 food baskets were distributed before Christmas in 2017.

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The Milk Fund provides dietary supplements, such as Ensure, to seniors, people with disabilities and children in the Community Action Committee’s service area. 

The following is a list of recent donations:

Empty Stocking Fund

In memory of Marge Nixon and Martie Elliott from Joan Jones, $300

In honor of Erin J. Norton, N. Marshall, Ryne J. Marshall and Hannah from Rebecca Wynn, $150

Harold and Evelyn Clemmons, $100

In honor of Pat Belland from Martha Howard Belland, $50

Anonymous, $2,500

Aileen McCarter Fund, Fidelity Charitable, $600

Elizabeth Kramer, $50

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In memory of my mother, Emma Kennedy, from Lana Doncaster, $300

Martha Logan, $25

Korean Church of Knoxville, $300

The Church of The Good Samaritan, $1,053.41

Meridian Trust and Investment Company, $1,000

Knox County Clerk Office, $410

ESF ending balance: $179,358.02 

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Milk Fund

David Creekmore, $20

Elizabeth Kramer, $50

The Trust Company, $762.56

Milk Fund ending balance: $36,093.81