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| By Paula Canning Staff Writer CHICOPEE With this year's goal of raising $28,000, The Jimmy Stuff the Stocking Campaign has kicked off its annual drive to collect toys, gifts, and monetary contributions for those in need this holiday season. Last year, the annual campaign brought in over $32,000, exceeding the goal of $28,000 and marking a record year for the drive, according to co-chair for the campaign, Mike Muldoon. Created under the leadership of Jimmy Stefanik in 1997, the campaign collects, purchases and distributes Christmas gifts to families in need. A recent fund-raiser at the Moose Center managed to raise $1,283 towards the campaign, while an annual golf tournament that took place in September brought in close to $6,000. According to Co-Chair Ron Simard, events such as these, which are hosted throughout the campaign, account for an estimated 60 to 65 percent of the money raised. Simard explained that since the campaign began in 1997, it has consistently grown, with an especially high increase in total amount of money raised over the past few years. He said that last year, the drive provided 325 families and 800 children will gifts for the Christmas holiday. Selling the tickets for the events, he said, is one of the key factors in the success of the campaign. "We really need to get those tickets out and get people to attend," he said. The next event to benefit the Campaign is a spaghetti supper at the Elks Club on Granby Road, slated for Nov. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. The meal for the event will include spaghetti and meatballs, salad, rolls and a beverage. Recommended donation is $5, $3 for seniors and for children under 12, and free for children under three. Following the spaghetti, supper, the next event is the annual Breakfast Buffet, which will be held at the Moose Family Center from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Dec.11. According to Muldoon, the campaign is in need of volunteers to help wrap presents. "It's a phenomenal undertaking," Muldoon said. "There are so many presents to wrap." Volunteers can contribute any amount of time possible to help the gift wrapping, which usually takes place on designated days from 4 to 8 pm. Muldoon explained that the fund-raiser thrives on contributions from a variety of local organizations. "It takes a lot of people working together to make this campaign possible," he said. "As long as everyone does their part, we will be successful." Anyone interested in making a monetary contribution, donating a new, unwrapped toy, or volunteering to help wrap presents, or if you know a family or person in need, please call 594-3417. |