No Empty Stockings
Donation protected
No Empty Stockings Program
The Neptune Beach Police Department is excited to announce the second annual ‘No Empty Stockings’ 2017 campaign!
In 2016, the program provided Christmas presents for 51 children throughout our area, largely thanks to our gracious donors who contributed nearly $7,000.
Our goal this year is to break that record in both the amount of children we can help and in donations!
Mission
The No Empty Stockings program is a collaborative community effort to raise funds so that families experiencing unforeseen hardship have gifts for their children at Christmas. The hardship can be due to one or more factors including but not limited to illness, financial difficulties, or other extenuating catastrophic circumstances.
Background History
Kathy Pike has been a teacher for Duval County Public Schools for over 20 years. During that time, she has encountered many families who have suffered various hardships. In one such family, an eight year old girl had recently lost her father to cancer. The young girl was one of four children with a single mom who was employed as a medical tech. One day when the class was involved in a lively discussion about the upcoming holidays, she told Mrs. Pike that she would not be getting anything for Christmas that year. The family vehicle had broken down, and her mom was going to have to use the Christmas money to purchase a new vehicle. Not once did the young girl express disappointment, as she knew that her mom needed a car in order to work to provide for her and her siblings. At that moment, Kathy decided that she and her husband, Ricky, would provide Christmas gifts for each of those children. After many trips to various stores, they were ready to deliver the presents to Mom. Mom was so appreciative that people opened their hearts to help out the family. The Pikes received a greater gift – the great feeling of joy that comes from being able to help a family in need. After this experience, a commitment was made to continue helping a deserving family at Christmas. Once Ricky was selected as Neptune Beach’s Chief of Police, the opportunity for this type of assistance to be given on a much larger scale became possible. From the simple act of helping one family, the No Empty Stocking Fund was started.
The Neptune Beach Police Department is excited to announce the second annual ‘No Empty Stockings’ 2017 campaign!
In 2016, the program provided Christmas presents for 51 children throughout our area, largely thanks to our gracious donors who contributed nearly $7,000.
Our goal this year is to break that record in both the amount of children we can help and in donations!
Mission
The No Empty Stockings program is a collaborative community effort to raise funds so that families experiencing unforeseen hardship have gifts for their children at Christmas. The hardship can be due to one or more factors including but not limited to illness, financial difficulties, or other extenuating catastrophic circumstances.
Background History
Kathy Pike has been a teacher for Duval County Public Schools for over 20 years. During that time, she has encountered many families who have suffered various hardships. In one such family, an eight year old girl had recently lost her father to cancer. The young girl was one of four children with a single mom who was employed as a medical tech. One day when the class was involved in a lively discussion about the upcoming holidays, she told Mrs. Pike that she would not be getting anything for Christmas that year. The family vehicle had broken down, and her mom was going to have to use the Christmas money to purchase a new vehicle. Not once did the young girl express disappointment, as she knew that her mom needed a car in order to work to provide for her and her siblings. At that moment, Kathy decided that she and her husband, Ricky, would provide Christmas gifts for each of those children. After many trips to various stores, they were ready to deliver the presents to Mom. Mom was so appreciative that people opened their hearts to help out the family. The Pikes received a greater gift – the great feeling of joy that comes from being able to help a family in need. After this experience, a commitment was made to continue helping a deserving family at Christmas. Once Ricky was selected as Neptune Beach’s Chief of Police, the opportunity for this type of assistance to be given on a much larger scale became possible. From the simple act of helping one family, the No Empty Stocking Fund was started.
Organizer
Neptune Beach Police Department
Organizer
Neptune Beach, FL
