Surrounded by board members, Councilman Brian Williams, right, donates a $2,000 check to the Needy Child Fund’s board Chairperson Mimi Lowery, Thursday evening at City Hall.
The Needy Child Fund’s board met Thursday night and continued efforts to bring Christmas to dozens of less fortunate families in East Ridge.
Councilman Brian Williams followed through on a campaign promise of donating a portion of his city salary to several organizations in the city, including the Needy Child Fund and the city’s Animal Services Department. Williams’ $2,000 check was just one that the organization has recently received.
NCF Chairperson Mimi Lowery told the board that it recently received a donation of $500 from Chattanooga Networking Connection, a group of area businessmen. Board member Tommy Roe said that donations to the NCF box placed on Helton Hill where many people drive through and enjoy the Christmas display, has surpassed $2,000. Lowery noted that the River City Corvette Club will hand over a substantial check to the NCF next week.
It was pointed out that students at East Ridge High School are kicking off a canned food drive next week to benefit the NCF. Board members are also preparing to attend a Christmas Party at the UTC Sigma Chi house where the fraternity is asking its brothers to bring an unwrapped gift to be donated to the NCF.
The Needy Child Fund will participate in the Christmas Parade in Camp Jordan Park on Friday, Dec. 8. The parade is being spearheaded by business owners and private citizens following the cancellation of the official city Christmas Parade due to threatening weather.
One of the city’s most revered holiday traditions, the Mission Oaks Candle Lighting, is scheduled for Monday, December 11. NCF volunteers will be on hand near the entrance to the subdivision to collect donations from people driving through the area to enjoy the holiday lights.
With only 22 days left until the Needy Child Fund’s Santa Party at the city’s Community Center on Tombras Avenue, the board is digging into the details of shopping, organizing and wrapping gifts and assembling packages for the beneficiaries. It was noted that it will take a small army of volunteers to accomplish the task in time for the big party on the 23rd.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or donate to the East Ridge Needy Child Fund is urged to email Mimi Lowery at lmimi@comcast.net. People are encouraged to keep up with the NCF by visiting its Facebook page.
