Founded in 1962, the 19-member Eastover-Wilroy Ruritan Club gave $50 to the Suffolk News-Herald Cheer Fund in 2001. According to Alvin White, president, the members discussed that they would double that amount in 2002 with $100.

&uot;If we can do it, anyone can,&uot; said White. &uot;It’s a good feeling when you can do something worthwhile for someone else and we want to challenge clubs and organizations just as small or smaller than we are to give at least a $100 donation. We are determined to do all we can to help the News-Herald to meet its goal this year.&uot;

White also said that the club will increase its donation in 2003, and already the group has donated over $1,470

to charitable organizations. The members hold two barbecues a year as fundraisers. One of their biggest projects is the purchase of a van, which they donate to a disabled person for their personal use; however, that person is responsible for the insurance and upkeep.

&uot;Everyone in the club knows where the money in the Cheer Fund goes; therefore, none of us had a problem in donating it,&uot; said White.

The goal of the &uot;Toys for Tots&uot; program is to supply news toys to 1,653 underprivileged Suffolk children at Christmas, and the Cheer Fund target this year is $37,151.

Every contribution will be welcomed no matter the amount.

We also want to thank those other contributors who have made donations early in the campaign. Because of your gifts, children who may have felt like no one cared will be happy and feel loved at Christmas.

Donations are used to pay for toys that have already been purchased by the &uot;Toys For Tots&uot; Committee headed by chairman Bill Ashley. Frank Rawls is the Cheer Fund chairman.

You or members of your organization may have a picture published with your contribution just as White did, and no stipulation is put on the amount that you have to give to have a picture published.

Just simply contact Evelyn Wall at 934-9615 of your gift and your intent to have a picture made so that the photographer, Harvey White, can take the picture.

Make your tax-deductible donation to the Suffolk Cheer Fund, c/o Suffolk News Herald, 130 S. Saratoga St., Suffolk, Va. 23434.

Balance Brought Forward: $1,300

Donations on Sunday, Nov. 24

Eastover-Wilroy Ruritan Club: $100

O’Connor & Company Inc. $100

Richard Bennett Trust: $1,000

Frank and Bobbie Piland: $25

Total For Today: $1,225

Total To Date: $2,525