Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk Ruritan Club member Dwayne Eby on Tuesday dropped off more than the organization’s $500 donation to the Suffolk News-Herald Cheer Fund.

He also delivered a challenge to the city’s other social and civic clubs: Meet or beat his club’s contribution, all to make the holiday brighter for more than 1,600 underprivileged children in the city.

The Suffolk Ruritan Club was founded in 1978. With 96 members, the group is probably best known for its annual shrimp feast fundraiser each fall.

It’s organizations like these and people like Bill Ashley, chairman of the Toys For Tots program, that make Christmas possible for the thousands of kids in the community.

So far, everything is running smoothly this year, Ashley said. The Suffolk Social Services Department and Salvation Army have targeted 1,687 underprivileged children who will receive toys this Christmas through the holiday program.

&uot;A truckload of toys was delivered to the headquarters yesterday and the rest will be delivered this Friday,&uot; he said.

Thus far, a total of $3,725 has been collected toward the 2003 goal of $40,000.

If you would like to make a donation to the Suffolk New-Herald Cheer Fund, just stop by the office at 130 S. Saratoga St. or mail your tax-exempt donation to Suffolk News-Herald, P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, Va. 23439.

Balance brought forward: $200

Suffolk Ruritan Club: $500

Lake Kennedy Civic League: $50

Butler Paper Recycling Inc.: $125

O’Conner & Company: $100

Halsey Mechanical Inc.: $100

Birdsong Peanuts: $1,000

GTL Transport Co.: $500

Franklin L. Piland: $25

James L. & Marjorie R. McLemore: $50

Nansemond-Isle of Wight Sunday School Union: $50

J. Walter Hosier & Son Inc./Kent B. Spain: $100

In loving memory of Miss Hattie Jones from Hu, Billy & Shea: $100

In memory of Granddaddy O. by Sadie: $25

In memory of mother, Mrs. Lillie Privott & Ruth E. White: $25

McCain Charitable Trust: $150

From Lazarus and Granitee: $500

In loving memory of Rob Harrell: $100

In memory of deceased members from Imperial Crescent Club: $25

Total for Thursday, Dec. 4: $3,525

Total to date: $3,725