Suffolk News-Herald

The Moose Lodge #141 and Cub Scout Troop 50 are helping the Suffolk New-Herald’s Cheer Fund move closer toward its $40,000 goal.

The Moose lodge’s $250 contribution and the $60 donated by Troop 50 will go toward providing toys that will be given to underprivileged children in Suffolk. The cub scouts also collected new toys that will be distributed to youngsters over this holiday season.

Moose has contributed to the Cheer Fund for many years because it serves local children who would otherwise have no gifts at Christmas, said George Jenkins, 2003-2004 governor of Lodge #141.

&uot;Our board sits down each year to look at the Cheer Fund, Boy Scouts and scholarships we give out, and it seems that the Cheer Fund is always at the top of our list,&uot; said Jenkins.

With all of the organization’s members living and working if Suffolk, members are well aware of the needs in the community, added Ron Burns, the organization’s community service chairman.

The funds are raised through the lodge’s Saturday night dances and other activities they sponsor.

The lodge also sponsors Cub Scout Pack 50, with Cubmaster David Bass and committee chairman Michelle Knight helping the youth along the road to adulthood.

&uot;We have about 80 boys on our rooster and 15 adult members,&uot; said Knight. &uot;Every adult is a volunteer.

&uot;The boys all brought their contributions up to the front of the Moose Lodge to clip them to our little Christmas tree,… what we call our money tree. We’re proud of these boys who give so that other children will also have gifts from Santa,&uot; she continued. &uot;This is excellent training for our young gentlemen… an excellent way for them to learn how to be a good citizen and a public servant.&uot;

Toys for Tots have been paid for and delivered to a distribution site next to Farm Fresh, and parents should have received letters from Social Services and the Salvation Army advising them when they may pick up their child’s gifts. Toys, bears, and dolls for 1,680 boys and girls will be distributed Dec. 16, just in time for mom and dad to wrap them.

To make a contribution to the Cheer Fund, send checks to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, Va. 23437, or stop by the News-Herald at 130 S. Saratoga St.