Dec. 19 – The Empty Stocking Fund is a 43-year-old project of The New Mexican. Each year, hundreds of people receive assistance from the fund during the holidays to cover rent payments, medical bills, utility costs, car repairs, home improvements and other needs.
The fund supported a senior citizen who worked in public schools all her life and supported the children of her community. Now retired and living on a fixed income, she began struggling with medical issues that affected her ability to care for herself, which was a source of stress and anxiety.
She knew she needed the medical care, but also knew she couldn’t afford it. The grant she received from the Empty Stocking Fund helped allay these fears. She used the grant to cover some of her medical costs, avoiding cutting back on other routine expenses.
Who it helps: Applicants, who must live within 50 miles of Santa Fe and provide documentation proving their identity, will be considered without regard to race, age, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Aid applications are currently at a standstill due to overwhelming demand.
2024 goal: $475,000; However, there are already more than $500,000 in requests.
This holiday charity project, which began in 1981, is administered by the Santa Fe Community Foundation.
Donate: Make your tax-deductible donation online by visiting santafecf.org/funds/empty-stocking-fund. Visit in person the Santa Fe Community Foundation at 501 Halona St., or The Santa Fe New Mexican, 150 Washington Ave., Suite 105, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contributions can also be mailed to Empty Stocking Fund, C/O Santa Fe Community Foundation, PO Box 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1827. Donors may request to remain anonymous.
Donations
Anonymous: $250
Anonymous: $500
Anonymous: $25.77
Anonymous: $103.09
Anonymous: $1,000
Anonymous: $3,000
Anonymous: $515.46
Anonymous: $207
Joa Dattilo and Janie Oakes: $500
Disabled American Veterans of Santa Fe, Luchetti Castner Chapter 15: $600
John and Cynthia Dobson: $500
Diane and Peter Doniger: $2,500
David Donohue — in memory of Becky Donohue: $100
Kay Arlene Dunkley: $50
Danny and Marissa Earp: $200
David Elder – in honor of Rick Franz: $3,000
Bobbie Elliott: $103.09
Susan and Dick Evans Charitable Fund: $1,000
Anne and Steve Farber: $300
A and PF: $1,000
Ellyn Feldman – Feldman Family Charitable Trust: $250
Jo Fisher — in memory of Nettie and Etta Gonzales: $103.09
Karen Fitzsimmons: $50
Barbara Fix: $150
Ellen Fox – in memory of Lucille Ruth Cooper: $154.64
Judith Gabriele and Vinnie Kelley – in memory of Jim Westmoreland: $103.09
Barbara and Bob Gallatin: $257.73
Robin and James Gavin: $250
Suzanne and Norman George: $500
Johanna and Patrick Gilligan: $500
Robert Glick and Jacquelyn Helin: $250
John and Debbie Goeller: $103.09
Barry Goldberg: $51.55
Michael Golden and Pamela Schackel: $100
Anne Wheelock Gonzales: $51.55
Silvia Gonzales — in memory of Henry E. Gonzales: $1,000
Lloyd and Robyn Gronning: $250
Cumulative total: $165,711.76
