ST. PAULS — Applications are now being accepted for help from the Loflin-Walker Christmas Fund, which has been spreading Christmas cheer for more than 30 years in this town.

Last year, $27,500 was raised to help families with food, clothing, toys, and fuel during the Christmas season. So far this year, $8,893 has been raised.

Applicants must either live in St. Pauls or have a child enrolled in any of the three schools in St. Pauls. Applications can be picked up at the town office, police department or public library and also left there.

Applications will be accepted on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the St. Pauls Scout Hut.

Donations are also being encouraged. They are tax-deductible and can be mailed to the Lions Club at P.O. Box 653, St. Pauls, N.C., 28384. Applications can also be mailed to that address.

The fund is named in honor of John Walker, a charter member of the St. Pauls Lions Club who helped establish it, and Joe Loflin, a longtime town administrator for St. Pauls.

The following donations have been received: Jackie Sugar Clements, $2,000; in loving memory of our husband, father and grandfather, the Loflin Family, $500; St. Pauls Chamber of Commerce-NC Folk Arts Festival, $500; Jack and Ann Stephens, $200; and Don and Saundra Murphy, $100; St. Pauls Community Church, $5,000; St. Pauls Presbyerian Church, $150; St. Pauls Tree Lighting Ceremony donation, $43; Roger and Mary Stewart, $100; Douglas and Deborah Laferney, $100; Kathy Moore, $100; in memory of Mr. Dan McCormick, anonymous $50; and in memory of Alan P. Young, anonymous, $50.

Staff report