Fill the stockings

If you are shopping for a Thanksgiving turkey this weekend - try to  imagine your holiday without the turkey and trappings.

Fast-forward to Christmas and imagine the festive day without not only the food but also gifts for the kiddos under the tree.

Sound pretty bleak?

It is. But you can help make someone's holiday a little brighter and pass along your own contribution of Christmas magic through the Empty Stocking Fund.

The Empty Stocking Fund is a joint project of the Salvation Army and the Odessa American. Started more than a decade ago, the fund raises money that goes right back into the Odessa community to help struggling families find some holiday cheer.

The list of families who need a hand this year is long.

A single Odessa mom struggles to make ends meet for her four children - including one with Down syndrome. Grandparents raising two grandchildren on a small pension. A disabled mother raising three children.

All are on the Odessa Empty Stocking list.

Maj. Carl Hughes is a former Odessan who came back in July to lead the Salvation Army. This will be his first experience with the Empty Stocking Fund. He said the economic downturn has hit Odessa and that there is a great need this holiday season.

Hughes encourages those doing well to give for the season.

"What they give is going to go to help those that may be less fortunate," Hughes said. "We have a lot of kids to try to take care of this year - more than we ever have. We are trying to get them taken care of."

Last week workers at the Salvation Army sorted toys and other items to take stock of what they have on hand to help for this holiday. Since applications for the Empty Stocking opened in October, they have processed more than 300 applications.

In that number, there are about 1,975 people who need help. About 840 of them are children. "We have more families living together. Some are grown kids who have moved home and others are multiple families living together," Kathy Goheen, Salvation Army bookkeeper, said.

A tight housing market in Odessa has forced lower wage earners to make tough decisions - and many are moving in with other family members.

Goheen said the Salvation Army's Angel Tree and the Empty Stocking will hopefully make sure every child in need gets a Christmas gift.

Empty Stocking Funds are used only to help Odessa families. Food and small gifts are provided through the fund.. Donors will be listed on 2A of the Odessa American daily Thanksgiving through the end of the campaign on Dec. 18. Food and gifts will be delivered Dec. 20.

Donors who wish to remain anonymous will not be listed in the OA.

By the numbers

>> $75,000: This year's goal.

>> $62,500: Last year's goal.

>> $109,540.44: Final tally from last year.

>> 500: Number of families helped last year.

>> 840: Number of children who need help this year.

 WHAT IS IT?

The Empty Stocking Fund, which was created in 1995 as a collaboration between the Salvation Army and the Odessa American, has raised more than $664,000. Empty Stocking funds enable the Salvation Army to provide toys and food baskets to needy families. This year's goal is $75,000.

The OA will match the first $4,000 in donations and has challenged other businesses and organizations to provide matching funds of their own.

WANT TO HELP?

>> Donations to the Empty Stocking Fund may be mailed or delivered to the Salvation Army Community Center, 811 E. 10th St., or the Odessa American, 222 E. Fourth St. ZIP codes for both are 79761.

>> For information, call the OA at 333-7714, or the Salvation Army at 332-0738.