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As Christmas thank you notes still arrive in the mail, The Times wants to take a moment to thank you, our readers, for donating money, contributing toys through the Outback Riders Toy Ride, etc., to the 2012 Empty Stocking Fund campaign.
Thank you for making the recent Empty Stocking Fund campaign the most successful in its decades-long history.
For the first time ever, the fund reached then surpassed the $30,000 mark. In the face of tough economic times, your past generous support ensured that more than 1,200 Valdosta and Lowndes County children awoke to Christmas gifts this past season.
By donating more than $30,000 in 2012, the Empty Stocking should be able to help more children in Christmas 2013. The fund works a year ahead, raising money for the next Christmas season.
For generations, The Valdosta Daily Times readers and the Salvation Army have worked to ensure that no local child finds an empty stocking come Christmas morning. Guardian Bank handles the fund’s many donations.
This would not have been possible without the help of several people.
Margie Blanton, Guardian Bank’s human resource officer, handled the incoming donations daily for the past several weeks. She does an excellent job handling the funds and meeting many of the contributors.
Salvation Army Capts. Guy and Monica Nickum work miracles each year. Monica Nickum handles everything from the registration of families to raising funds to purchasing the gifts to sorting them for each child’s wish list to distributing them with great care and efficiency. She is a marvel to watch and the Nickums have proven a blessing to our community.
And, again, it would not be possible without you, our generous readers. It is too easy to turn a blind eye, a deaf ear and a cold heart in this world, but you did not.
May your new year be as full of joy as the joy you have brought to so many young people throughout Valdosta and Lowndes County.
What We Think
Stocking Fund: Thank you, readers
- What We Think
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New era at the Boys and Girls Club
Next week on June 1, it will be the official end of an era at the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta when Robert Soper hands over responsibility for the organization to the new Chief Professional Officer Jim Wink.
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Thank you, EMS
We always pull over for them, but we rarely seem to thank them.
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Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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New era at the Boys and Girls Club
