RISON - Monetary donations to the Cleveland County Care Fund are already coming in this year, and so are the local kids in need this Christmas.
Melinda McKnight, who spearheads the fundraising effort for the Care Fund, said she is already seeing a spike in the number of children needing help in Cleveland County.
“Last year we had over 50 kids we helped, and prepared 75 food boxes,” she said. “I expect that number to be higher this year as we’re already seeing kids in need.”
She said she was informed recently of a child who wanted a pillow for Christmas because they did not have one for their bed. The same child also recently expressed gratitude for getting water at home to take a bath.
Stories like this one are why McKnight uses a referral system to find families in need.
All recipients are referred to the fund by local school staff, churches or local agencies like the Cleveland County Department of Human Services.
“The people in our schools, churches or local agencies have a better perspective on the families who actually need the help,” McKnight said.
She said the fund does take direct requests from families.
Whenever a child is referred to the Care Fund, McKnight said they check with that child’s household to see if there may other children in that home who need help as well. She said the children they help range from newborns to 18 years old.
Whatever money is collected for the Care Fund is distributed among those in need. McKnight said that money is then used to buy an item on the child’s Christmas wish list as well as clothing. She said she has shoppers that are close to the same age as the child they are helping so the clothes or gifts they select will appeal to that age group.
McKnight said it is not too late to donate to this year’s Christmas drive. She said whatever money they collect through Friday, Dec. 13, will be used for Christmas this year. Donations can be dropped off directly at the Cleveland County Herald office, 215 Main Street in downtown Rison.
The Cleveland County Care Fund operates under the 501(c)3 non-profit tax status of the Pioneer Village at Rison. McKnight said all donations are tax-deductible and checks should be made to Pioneer Village with Care Fund written in the memo line.