Woodyard Fund still needs donations
A community safety net helping people all over the Midlands pay their bills continues to push for donations in the last few weeks of its campaign.
Andrew McIntyre, the Salvation Army of the Midlands public relations director, said the Woodyard Fund, which helps people facing monetary struggles pay utility bills, has helped several flood survivors, the elderly, single mothers, families facing sudden financial hardship and those with disabilities this year. He said the Oct. 4 floods had a significant impact and many are still recovering financially.
“We’re just plugging away to help people in need,” he said. “Especially families in the winter season.”
McIntyre said in the past four years, the Woodyard Fund has raised an average of about $97,000 per year. He said last year’s fund yielded about $98,000, and this year’s donations was just under $85,000 as of late last week, with a few more weeks to go.
The fund has assisted about 280 families so far this year, and that number will go up in the coming weeks before the fund ends in mid-March. The fund gives an average of $288 to each family.
“We still need more donations to help more families,” he said.
Last year, the fund helped 301 families, so the number seeking help has gone slightly down. McIntyre said it might be because needy people might not know how to request assistance. Also, families can only apply once a year.
McIntyre said anyone in need of assistance can call the Woodyard Fund donation line at (803) 462-5093, and the fund can assist the first 30 callers who qualify. The fund will stop mid-March, but
“We still need donations to continue helping families with utility bills,” he said. “... (We give) thanks to folks for generous donations form people who donated to help.”
The Woodyard Fund helps residents in crisis in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield and Newberry counties pay for utilities. The fund dates to 1816, when the Ladies Benevolent Society provided firewood and coal to families in need. In 1930, The State newspaper’s editor, William E. Gonzales, began publicizing the fund. It became a tradition the newspaper continues every winter.
Woodyard Fund
How to give help: Donations can be mailed to the Woodyard Fund, c/o The Salvation Army of the Midlands, P.O. Box 2786, Columbia, SC 29202. Make checks payable to the Woodyard Fund. All donations are tax-deductible.
How to get help: Area residents who need assistance with heating bills can call (803) 462-5093 for more information or to make an appointment for assistance.
Donations
Through Feb. 26
Gloria D. Truluck and Dianne T. Poston, $100; Joseph Horvath and Ramie Cox, $1,000; T. Travis and Glenn K. Medlock, $100; Gertrude E. Gilbert, $25; Eli L. Huffman, $1,000, in memory of PE Huffman; Glenna R. McKee, $50, in memory of Andy McKee; Ola B. Taylor Circle at Shandon United Methodist Church, $100; Sandra L. Hursey, $100; Ladies Bible Class at Westminster Presbyterian Church, $50; Margaret M. Fox, $100; Julia Griffith White, $100; Donna C. and Lisle E. Mose, $100, in memory of Elliott I. Mose; Wade F. Fisher, $500; Daniel L. and Cheryl S. Reger, $100; Louise H. and Richard D. Taylor, $100, in memory of R.D. Taylor; Gail R. and Kenneth A. Kinard, $50; Vernon H. and Joyce H. Romans, $50; William H. and Cecilia Guza Dillow, $100; Victor Morris, $20
Weekly total: $3,745
Total to date: $84,550.72
This story was originally published February 28, 2016 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Woodyard Fund still needs donations."