Empty Stocking Fund has raised over $9,100, but more still needed

The Corbin Rotary Club has announced the first round of donations for the 2023 Southeast Kentucky Empty Stocking Fund (SEKESF) Christmas program to benefit children in need throughout the tri-county area.

So far, $9,158 has been donated.

Donors and the amounts given for the week ending Nov. 26 include:

• Davis Salvage Company – $500.
• Patil Foundation Inc. – $1,000.
• Walmart Store Number 1259, Corbin – $4,000.
• Rotary Foundation District 6740 – $1,500.
• Rotary Club of Corbin, Ky. – $750.
• Sudhir and Shobhana Patel – $252.
• Pam Razmus – $100.
• Paul Jones (in memory of Shirley Jones) – $100.
• Joe and Lola Caldwell (in memory of Shirley Jones) – $100.
• Two Great Friends of SEKESF – $500.
• Jerry and Helen Rickett – $200.
• Tim Bryant – $56.
• Mildred Burkhart – $100.

So far, 334 children have been signed up, but more were expected during the final signup date on Nov. 29.

Lots of volunteers are needed to help wrap presents on the evening of Friday, Dec. 15. The wrapping will take place at Immanuel Baptist Church starting about 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, volunteers will be needed to help hand out the gifts.

The Empty Stocking Fund will hand out gifts and other items on Dec. 16, starting at 11 a.m. for the first 100 families. The second group will start at 1 p.m.

Last year, the Empty Stocking Fund spent about $36,000 buying gifts for 465 children, and with inflation, organizers think they will need about $39,000 this year.