For 22 years, the Coastal Chapter of the American Red Cross has hosted a Christmas Day Dinner for the community, and for the first time, the agency didn't have enough donations to cover the costs.
Bi-Lo Charities kicked in $6,000, but other donations were down. Red Cross Chapter Chief Executive Angela Nicholas said it has taken a few weeks to receive all the bills and process last minute donations. She was shocked to learn that they came up $6,0446.02 short.
The dinner started in 1989, the first Christmas after Hurricane Hugo devastated the Grand Strand. Janice Ash Sialiano coordinates the volunteers for the dinner. She said this year, the cost of the food and supplies was up 12% and donations were down.
Nicholas said this year they also increased the number of meals from 4,500 to 5,000. Nicholas said, "We feel good that everyone was fed a hot meal on Christmas Day. Now we just have to find some resources to cover the additional costs."
The meals were served at four churches on Christmas Day.
Donations to the Red Cross are tax deductible. Anyone wishing to help defray the cost of the dinner can make a donation by credit card by calling 477-0020 in Horry County or 546-5422 in Georgetown County, mailing a donation to 3531 Pampas Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 or dropping off a donation at the chapter office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
