The Empty Stocking Fund got a boost with an anonymous $31,000 donation that pushed the total to more than $141,000 this year – more than $41,000 over the 2021 $100,000 goal.
The donation comes from a longtime Salvation Army supporter who is an Odessa businessman known for generosity to local charities.
On Friday, hundreds lined up at the Salvation Army offices to pick up a holiday meal food box and gifts from the Empty Stocking Fund and the Angel Tree program along with donations from other toy drives this year.
This year is a pleasant surprise to meet and beat the goal after missing the goal by about $40,000 in 2020. The Empty Stocking Fund was also helped by a challenge from the Sewell Family of Companies that netted $50,000.
The Empty Stocking Fund, an annual fundraising effort by the Odessa American and The Salvation Army, is in the 27th year of fundraising for Odessans. The drive started on Thanksgiving Day and ended on Friday.
Empty Stocking Funds go for a good holiday meal and small gifts under the tree.
OA Editor Laura Dennis thanked the community and the final anonymous donor for making this year’s event a success.
“I’m overwhelmed at the generosity that I have seen this year,” Dennis said. “There are so many worthy charities out there and we just thank each and every one of you for helping our friends and neighbors by donating to this worthy cause.”
