By Hugh Fisher
hfisher@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLIS ó Thanks to some good Samaritans, the Cannon Memorial YMCA’s Empty Stocking Fund never was empty.
“We made it through,” Kannapolis branch executive director Brett Crosby said Friday evening as the last families lined up to apply for gifts and assistance.
“We had to do a little shopping, but we had the money to do it.”
Crosby said the Kannapolis Y’s Empty Stocking Fund assisted more than 1,100 families during last week’s distribution ó easily topping last year’s record number of 960.
When more than 400 applied for aid on the first day, Crosby feared there might be problems providing gifts to the city’s needy children.
But donors responded to a call for aid by bringing money and toys.
“We ran out (of toys for some age groups) a couple of times, but we were able to go shopping and get what we needed,” Crosby said.
Economic hardships caused thousands to request aid from the YMCA, which helps families who aren’t already receiving holiday assistance from other agencies like the Salvation Army.
More than 100 volunteers worked during the distribution week, choosing toys for needy children and, when needed, helping fill needs other than toys.
The YMCA also refers families for “adoption” through Cooperative Christian Ministries in Kannapolis.
“We’ve referred about 80 families to be adopted so far,” Crosby said.
The ministry group assists families with food and other needs. As the winter goes on, some of those families may get heating assistance from a special fund.
Mary Mills, one of the YMCA volunteers who helped with distribution, said she was taken aback by the number of people hurting this Christmas.
“We had people whose house had burned down,” Mills said. “They literally needed everything.”
Another parent brought in a terminally ill toddler on his way to hospice care.
“There are a lot of people hurting,” Mills said.
“But I enjoy doing this because you get to meet so many nice people, and you get to help them out. You get to see a lot of happy parents. Some tears, too.”
Crosby said being able to give back to the community left him and his workers with a good feeling.
“It’s just that spirit of people wanting to help other people,” Crosby said.
“It’s a tough time, but I think we provide the help they need.”