Staff Report
Children plus Christmas usually equals joy and anticipation, but for some families, this equation is not always true. When cancer enters the picture, the holiday can take on a whole new meaning filled with worry and unexpected bills. A local organization seeks to alleviate some of the burden to these families called Giving Hope through Faith Foundation.
“We hold a Stockings of Hope fundraising drive every year in memory of our son Zach,” stated Sherry Tucker, president of the Foundation.
The Christmas of 2006, Zachary Tucker’s family grieved the thought of his Christmas stocking hanging empty after their son Zach lost his battle fighting a brain tumor. The family’s solution was to ask those touched by Zach’s journey to help fill his stocking with gift cards. The response was so amazing that the idea evolved into the formation of the Giving Hope through Faith Foundation.
“This drive is our largest fundraiser and allows us to continue to provide hope to these families in need,” added Tucker.
There are many ways you can participate in this project from making your own tax deductible donation at www.givinghope throughfaith.org to hosting a holiday party at your office or home and encouraging friends to bring a gift card or donation to fill a stocking. A gift of $1,500 provides packages to a family for a year. A gift of $500 will purchase dinner for 20 of the families. A gift of $100 provides five boxes of smiles and a gift of $50 gives a night at the movies for one of the families.
Over 530 families have been enrolled in the program since inception. The families receive monthly care packages containing gift cards and messages of hope, once a month for a year. The foundation is operating on a volunteer basis only with .92 cents of every dollar received going out to the families that are assisted.
To learn more about the foundation or the Stockings of Hope project, visit www.givinghopethroughfaith.org or contact Sherry or Dirk Tucker at 685-6773.
