The Suffolk Cheer Fund collected $40,558 this year, helping provide Christmas cheer for thousands of Suffolk children.

“I am absolutely thrilled,” said head elf Margie Wiley. “Although it’s been a staple in our community for a number of years, the fact we’ve hit our goal for the past two years straight shows there is a need and the Suffolk community is aware of that need and willing to donate and help children at Christmas.”

The goal this year was $40,000. The goal was met the week before Christmas, making it the earliest in recent memory that happened.

The Suffolk Cheer Fund started during the Great Depression to help provide essentials for those in need. It eventually morphed into providing toys and teamed up with the Salvation Army to distribute those toys.

Suffolk News-Herald staff provides all needed functions for the Cheer Fund, including publicity and bookkeeping, so that all donations can go toward purchasing toys.

Part of the publicity this year featured several local people sharing their memories of Christmas in the past. Those who shared their memories included the Cheer Fund board member Frank Rawls, the Salvation Army’s Capt. Shauntrice Anthony, Sheriff E.C. Harris, Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett and even Santa Claus himself.

“I’d love to thank those who shared their memories with us this year,” Wiley said.

Cheer Fund donations are printed in the Suffolk News-Herald and can be made in honor of or in memory of a loved one. The donor can be listed anonymously if he chooses. The donor can also have his photograph taken giving the check to be published in the newspaper.

Donations for the Cheer Fund are accepted year-round. To give, write a check payable to the Cheer Fund and mail it to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439, or stop by our office at 130 S. Saratoga St. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Online giving is also available. Visit Suffolk Cheer Fund on Facebook to find a PayPal link.