www.starnewsgaonline.com EMPTY STOCKING FUND from front
those at risk or impacted by hearing loss, through education and support, while simultaneously being focused on the community and giving money back to local charities. “We’re also the administrators and manage the Empty Stocking Fund” said Rebecca Smith; long-time SERTOMA member and Chairman of the fund. In 1946, the Carrollton Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) began a project called the Empty Stocking Fund to provide Christmas assistance to needy families. The program has grown over many years from “project” status to its current iteration, as a tax-exempt charitable foundation. Known now as the Carrollton Empty Stocking Fund, Rebecca Smith now heads the charity foundation. Smith explained that members of the Carrollton Evening SERTOMA Club and other civic-minded folks in the community purchase Christmas gifts with the proceeds from the Empty Stocking Fundraiser. The spending allowance is $100 per child. However, Smith explained that while many may see that dollar amount as small, it goes a long way with the right skilled shoppers, which is what they seek in volunteer shoppers. Both the local school system and the Carroll County Division of Family and Children services provide the club with the names of children in need, their wish lists, and their clothing sizes. Nominations for donations often come from anywhere. Pastors, local police and everyday citizens often call Smith with names of families and children in need. Smith was born and raised in Carrollton, Georgia. A graduate of the University of West Georgia, she holds her undergraduate
degree in accounting, and an MBA from UWG as well. After graduating, Smith went to work for the university for over nine years with their Career Services Department before working for the University System of Georgia for three years, and now returning to UWG, working for Academic Affairs in Newnan, Georgia. Smith is married with two daughters and one grandson. “My family has a long history of giving back” said Smith. First getting involved 2002, Smith started attending SERTOMA meetings and was moved to quickly become involved with the Empty Stocking fundraiser, selling tickets, fundraising and shopping for the community’s needy families and children. Smith joined the club that same year and has continued to serve the community for 17 years now. “I’m really committed to giving back to the community” she said, going on to say, “I believe everybody can give time back, to service their fellow humankind”. A true community steward, Smith dedicates on average 8 to 10 hours per week to giving back to her community. “I just love meeting the families, and I like to connect them to resources” asserted Smith. There is no doubt that the Empty Stocking Fund has made an impact in the community. Smith upholds that claim, attesting, “We’ve had mothers who have come back after successfully getting themselves out of their situation, actually shop and sponsor children themselves”. Additionally, she likes explaining the importance of education to families, saying, “I like to educate the parents on the importance of school, and how education, can maybe help them out of their situation”. Due
StarNews November 8, 2020
to her higher education background and access to resources, Smith is able to offer sound advice and guidance to parents and high-school-aged children, talking to them about “dual enrollment, who to talk to as their counselor, and if the university is not right for them, the technical college may be right for them” she said. Ryan Scroggin, a counselor in the Carroll County School System takes charge of getting the Christmas wish list and helps determine the disbursement of gifts. In order to provide services to as many local children as pos-
Rebecca Smith has been a dedicated volunteer for the local “Empty Stocking” fund for nearly See REBECCA SMITH twenty years. For 2020, she is the chairman. page 8
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