By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
Chimes for Charity is edging closer to its goal — but still needs about $18,000.
Just 10 days before its Christmas Eve food basket delivery, Chimes has received $36,836 in donations and pledges.
“If people haven’t made a donation yet, it’s still not too late,” Chimes secretary Regina Hendon said this morning.
Chimes has $18,164 to go in order to reach this year’s $55,000 goal — all of which will be used to help families in need this Christmas.
The program is in its 78th year of providing food, clothing and toys to less fortunate families around Obion County at Christmas. It is sponsored by the Union City Jaycees and J’Cettes and is generously supported by community contributions.
Chimes’ annual fund raising telethon last week provided a major boost and ended with just over $30,000 in pledges and contributions, and the program also benefited from food items and toys collected at last weekend’s Santa’s Village at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s ag pavilion.
Anyone who made a pledge during the telethon is encouraged to honor their donation by sending it to Chimes for Charity, P.O. Box 661, Union City, TN 38281.
“We need people to send in their pledges. If they’ve not done so yet, we need it,” Mrs. Hendon said.
Chimes already spent over $35,000 last month on shopping tours which provided new winter clothing and toys for about 375 less fortunate elementary school and Head Start children countywide. Today, food was ordered for 275 food baskets to be delivered to families and individuals in need on Christmas Eve morning.
This year’s goal of $55,000 is an increase of $5,000 over last year’s goal, and every penny collected will be used to help those in need.
In addition to providing funds, the community’s help will be needed in sorting, packing and delivering the food baskets. Volunteers may participate in sorting on Dec. 22 starting at 1 p.m. at the Obion County bus garage in Troy, followed by basket packing beginning at 1 p.m. Dec. 23 at the bus garage. Delivery route information for Dec. 24 will be available at the packing.
For more information about making a donation or volunteering to help, call the Chimes office at 885-2098 or email chimesforcharity@yahoo.com.
Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by email at cmenees@ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 12.14.12