‘A collective effort’: Holiday Partners helps more than 1,000 York County children
More than 1,000 York County children woke up Christmas morning to gifts under the tree thanks to the generosity of readers in this region.
Every year, the United Way of York County joins forces with WRHI’s Toys for Happiness and the Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund for the Holiday Partners gift drive.
Holiday Partners collects and distributes toys for children in York County ages birth to 14 years.
This year, gifts were donated to about 475 families, helping more than 1,120 children, said Rebecca Melton, president of United Way of York County. The items were thanks to community member donations totaling more than $6,400 as well as donations from local businesses.
Williams and Fudge in Rock Hill raised $15,000 to purchase 272 bikes for children this year, The Herald previously reported.
The gifts were sorted by more than 260 volunteers who put in about 800 hours to make the holidays special for families in need, Melton said.
“While things appear to be going very well for some families, others are still struggling,” Melton said. “I want to say a big thank you to the community for all of our supporters. It’s a collective effort.”
Holiday Partners 2019 donors:
Jane Gorman, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith Bynum, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Edwards, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Schapiro, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Harrington, Rock Hill
Frances Nivens, York
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Began, York
James and Mary Harrington, Indian Trail
Earlene Massey, Rock Hill
Broadus Thomasson, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Dick McCoy, Rock Hill
Linus Halin, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. John Bourgeois, Rock Hill
Alta Vandergrift, Rock Hill
France Cauthen, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Wolfe, Fort Mill
Gordon Ross, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Buice, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Randall, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Williams, York
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Martinson, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Terrell Smith, Rock Hill
Joseph W. Jordan, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. James Hoffman, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Gault, Rock Hill
Mark Sample, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. William Gregory, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Hennessey, Fort Mill
Mr. Broadus Thomasson, Rock Hill
Elaine Copeland, Rock Hill
Mow and Go Lawncare, Chester
Mr. and Mrs. Rayford Lowder, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. David England, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hull, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Nordling, Lancaster
Jerry Grant, Rock Hill
Mary Mallaney, Rock Hill
Northwestern Band Boosters, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Doherty, Rock Hill
Pam Morrell, Rock Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cloninger, Rock Hill
Raelene Kirkbridge, Rock Hill
The Fan Man, Rock Hill
Zeta AMICAE of Rock Hill
Nancy Minnon, Rock Hill
Susan Tremont, Clover
Patricia Youngblood, Rock Hill
There were two donations from residents who wished to remain anonymous.
This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 12:00 AM.
