Holiday Partners brings toys, cheer to more than 900 York County families
Bikes, stuffed animals, arts and craft items, balls and other gifts found their way to children in need this holiday season thanks to Holiday Partners.
In partnership with The Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund and WRHI AM radio’s Toys for Happiness, the United Way of York County program provides toys for less fortunate York County families with children ages birth to 14 years old.
Rebecca Melton, president of the United Way of York County, said more than 900 families woke up Christmas morning with gifts under the tree, thanks to local businesses and individuals
“The overall response was wonderful,” Melton said. “People were so generous, as always.”
Williams and Fudge in Rock Hill donated 300 bikes to Toys for Happiness and, in total, more than 500 were collected, the most the drive has seen, said volunteer Tom Anderson.
“It was a very successful year for us,” he said. “As always, the community stepped up.”
Close to 250 volunteers gave thousands of hours to bring smiles to children’s faces, Melton said. Individual monetary and toy donations helped ensure their wish lists were met.
“We couldn’t do it without all of the generous supporters,” Melton said. “We’ve been able to serve all of the families that needed our help.”
Melton said they were still getting calls late this week.
“Being able to know where to turn, especially at the last minute, has been such a blessing to the families that we are helping,” she said.
Readers can still contribute to the Empty Stocking Fund through Dec. 31.
Empty Stocking Fund Donors
John and Margaret Hook, Rock Hill
Northwestern Band Boosters, Rock Hill
Tony Lee, Rock Hill
Rayford Lowder, Rock Hill
Swain and Mary Sheppard, Rock Hill
Pookie Williams, Rock Hill
Dink and Shirley Broom, Fort Mill
Judity Bogart, York
The MacDonald Family, Fort Mill
Mr. and Mrs Bruce Randall, Rock Hill
Carolyn Griffin, Rock Hill
Terrel amd Susan Smith, Rock Hill
John and Paula Bourgeois, Rock Hill
CH Miller, Rock Hill
Rick and Susan Dove, Rock Hill
Dennis and Vivian Harrington, Rock Hill
Frances Cauthen, Rock Hill
Gerald and Sara Kay Lynes, Rock Hill
Rayford Lowder, Jr. , Rock Hill
Lin and Judy Halin, Rock Hill
Bob and Nancy Scholl, Rock Hill
Sharen DuBard, Rock Hill
James and Sharon Hoffman, Rock Hill
Kay Beach, Rock Hill
Cynthia Tucker, Rock Hill
Gale and Tony DiGiorgio, Rock Hill
Susan Tremont, Clover
Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Schroeder, Rock Hill
Beverly Ernandez, Rock Hill
Rion M Rutledge and Virginia W Rutledge, Rock Hill
Want to Help?
Donate to The Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund by mailing donations to, or dropping them off at, The Herald, 132 W. Main St., Rock Hill, S.C. 29730. Checks should be made to the Empty Stocking Fund, c/o UWYC.
This story was originally published December 27, 2016 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Holiday Partners brings toys, cheer to more than 900 York County families."