Despite the economic slowdown and loss of jobs in the area, area residents still reached deep into their pockets to support the Chattanooga Times Free Press Neediest Cases fund.
The 2008 Neediest Cases campaign was the most successful in eight years, a result that speaks highly of the generosity of the community, said an executive with the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, which the fund benefits.
“We ... are very appreciative of the many generous donors who contributed to the Neediest Cases fund this year,” wrote Bo Walker, chief operating officer for the Partnership, in an e-mail. “It is truly amazing to see the charitable spirit of this community alive and well, even in these difficult economic times.”
The Partnership distributes money raised by the Neediest Cases campaign throughout the year to clients whose needs cannot be met through other sources.
This year, with the help of 402 donors, the Times Free Press raised $47,199.78, almost $3,000 more than in 2007. Donations ranged from $5 in cash to $500 checks.
Every year during the holiday season, the Times Free Press asks readers to support the annual campaign, held from Thanksgiving through the holidays.
“With the economic difficulties faced by many, Chattanoogans this year donated more to help those who throughout this year may find themselves lacking food, shelter and hope,” said Tom Griscom, publisher and executive editor of the Times Free Press. “The Times Free Press is pleased to carry on the tradition (that) started more than 90 years ago for our community.”
Adolph Ochs, former publisher of the Chattanooga Times, established the fund drive in 1914. When The Chattanooga Times and the Chattanooga Free Press merged in 1999, the campaign continued.
Mr. Walker said the Partnership was able to meet the needs of 360 people in 2008 with money from the Neediest Cases fund, a 31 percent increase over the 275 served in 2007.
“Every one of those individuals has been very grateful for the help they received,” he said.
In 2008, those who benefited from the Neediest Cases fund included clients who received money for a pair of glasses, an electricity deposit and rent. The story of a young man suffering from cancer inspired several people to offer him a computer so he could pursue his dream of becoming a computer technician.
“There are times when community resources are scarce and even the most basic of needs are going unfilled; those are times when the Neediest Cases fund has helped out in a big way, with only a few dollars,” Mr. Walker wrote. “I just want to say ‘thank you’ to the donors and the Chattanooga Times Free Press for this support to our community.”
Perla Trevizo joined the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 2007 and covers immigration/diversity issues and higher education. She holds a master’s degree in newswire journalism from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Texas. In 2011 she participated in the Bringing Home the World international reporting fellowship program sponsored by the International Center for Journalists, producing a series on Guatemalan immigrants for which she ...
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