The holiday season, seen as a time of joy and coming together, is difficult for many in St. Johns County.
With the continuing challenges of the pandemic, this year more than ever, families and seniors are making hard choices between food, shelter or medical costs. They worry about making ends meet and where their next paycheck will come from and are overwhelmed by the thought of the holidays approaching.
The Empty Stocking Fund, a valued community tradition supported by donations since the 1980s, assists these vulnerable families and seniors with funds for food, clothing or toys to unwrap. In 2020, United Way-SJC and partners assisted nearly 600 families and seniors.
"Individually, we can't do it all, but we can all do something,” said Melissa Nelson, United Way of St. Johns County president and CEO. “Your donation – no matter how big or small – will make a difference this holiday season. By working with our partners, the Empty Stocking Fund enhances existing local holiday programs allowing them to be more robust and reach more families.”
Barbara, a local resident, is just one of those helped by the initiative.
When she found out she was pregnant with twins, she also learned that a medical condition would cause her to be on bedrest throughout her entire pregnancy. She used all her sick time, vacation days and Family and Medical Leave Act time and was eventually separated from her job.
Her twin boys arrived a few weeks early and, although healthy, remain in the newborn intensive care unit until they learn to eat without a feeding tube.
The Empty Stocking Fund is the blessing Barbara needed for her new babies and two older children. This resource will help restore some normalcy during the holidays.
Tax-deductible donations are fully distributed to qualified applicants and should be made directly to United Way-SJC by mail, by dropping off at the Bridge Street office or electronically.
By mail, make checks payable to United Way-SJC (noting the Empty Stocking Fund), PO Box 1007, St. Augustine, FL 32085
In person, drop off donations at United Way of St. Johns County, 117 Bridge St., St. Augustine.
Online, go to unitedway-sjc.org/emptystocking.
