Published: December 01, 2008 08:22 pm      

Little Jimmie receives $825 boost; Organizers expect 750 children at sign-ups

BLUEFIELD — No family will be turned away during sign-ups for the 2008 Community Christmas tree on Friday, Dec. 5 from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bluefield City Auditorium. Organizers anticipate 750 children will be signed up for the program during the two-day period, volunteer Michele Colley said.

Sponsored by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the Community Christmas Tree fund provides holiday gifts and treats to hundreds of local children in need each year. The fund drive is also known as the Little Jimmie campaign due to a cartoon that accompanies the kickoff of the event.

Children, up to age 12, who are signed up for the program will receive a gift bag filled with two toys, fruit, candy or cookies, a book and a pair of gloves and a toboggan at the Little Jimmie Christmas party on Dec. 23 from noon to 2 p.m.

To sign up a child for the program, parents need to bring either the child’s social security card, birth certificate or a WIC card. Colley said any form of information is acceptable, as long as it contains the child’s social security number.

Volunteers will work with families to make the sign-up process as quick and efficient as possible. “There can be a long wait time. We ask the child’s name and address and what two gifts that the child would be interested in receiving,” Colley said.

On the day of sign-ups, Colley hopes to see some of the children with their families.

“Their eyes light up and they are so excited,” she said.

Families signed up will receive a ticket to be turned in at the Christmas party, which will be held at the Bluefield City Auditorium.

On Monday, the Community Christmas Tree fund received a much-needed boost with $825 in contributions. With a fund-raising goal of $25,000, nearly $24,000 is still needed to meet this year’s donation target.

Those who would like to contribute to the Community Christmas Tree program can mail donations to: Bluefield Daily Telegraph, c/o Community Christmas Tree, P.O. Box 1599, Bluefield, W.Va., 24701; or drop them off at the Daily Telegraph office on Bluefield Avenue. Checks should be made payable to the Community Christmas Tree Fund.

Monday’s contributions

Bluefield Ministerial Association......................$50.00

Memory of Jim & Margaret Stallard by Larry & Charlotte Stallard...............................50.00

William T. Hancock Charitable Foundation.......................500.00 In memory of Helen Lambert Freeman, by Molly Lambert-Nelson Gary High School Alumni Class of 1956........25.00 In memory of my brother Don Bowman by Rev. Ken Bowman .........................................100.00 Our hearts are with those in need where we grew up, by Charlie and Nancy Nowlin, Vallejo, Calif.....................100.00 Today’s total.................$825.00

Previous total............$225.00

Grand total..............$1,050.00