Rotary Club fills ’empty’ stockings with laughter and joy

Above, Banking Center Manger Quentin Young gives away a present during the Corbin Rotary Club’s Empty Stocking Fund giveaway at Forest Bowling Lanes Monday.

Nearly 500 children came to Forest Lanes in Corbin Tuesday where area business owners and other professionals worked in conjunction with the Corbin Rotary Club to help give them a merrier Christmas.

The children from Knox, Laurel and Whitley counties, along with family members, received a new coat, gloves, hat and shoes along with a present to unwrap and a new blanket.

Sudhir Patel, a member of the Rotary Club, manned one of the stations to hand out gifts.

“I love this project,” Patel said. “When I see the faces of the children smiling and happy, I feel so good about it.”

Patel said one child made it even more special for him. As Patel handed the child her gift, she handed him an envelope containing a Christmas card. The card is hanging on the front desk at Patel’s hotel.

“That is a blessing,” Patel said of the exchange with the child.

Among the dignitaries in attendance was Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan-Grimes.

Grimes thanked the organizers and businesses who made the event possible, noting Kentucky has a long history of people helping people.

“That is what Kentuckians’ spirit of the Commonwealth is all about,” Grimes said. “You are not only filling stockings but you are filling hearts across the Commonwealth.”

Through the efforts of Waste Connections, some of the children also left with a new bicycle.

Quentin Young, Banking Center Manager at Forcht Bank on Cumberland Falls Hwy., said seeing the expression of the children who won the bikes was its own reward.

“They were just blown away and excited,” Young said.

Young said it was not just about the children but the parents as well. Watching them when they see the children receive their clothes, shoes and gifts makes the experience its own reward.

“It is definitely a joy to be able to provide that,” Young said. 

Joe Caldwell, president of the Southeast Kentucky Empty Stocking Fund, said the event was another big success, noting there were a few families that didn’t come to get their items.

“It went real well,” Caldwell said.

 “Instead of having one, two or three children around the Christmas tree opening gifts, you have 500,” he said.

Between cash donations and in-kind donations, Caldwell said the organization will be very close to the $30,000 goal that was set for this year.

Donations are always accepted.

Caldwell said donations may be sent to:

Southeast Kentucky Empty Stocking Fund

P.O. Box 511

Corbin, KY 40702

Caldwell said the organization is registered as a non-profit and donors will receive a thank you letter that may be used for tax purposes.

Any funds that come in will either be used to finish paying for the 2014 event or to build up the fund for 2015.

“The only things we have to pay for are a little bit of printing for the brochures and some postage to mail out the cards to the families,” Caldwell explained. “Nearly 100 percent of the donations we receive go to purchase items for the kids.”

Organizers will be meeting in January to begin planning for 2015.

“There is always some improvement you can make if you talk about it.” Caldwell said.