The Suffolk Cheer Fund is wrapping up its 2019-2020 campaign having reached its goal.

This year’s goal was $40,000, and the Cheer Fund reached a total of $41,737.

The Cheer Fund is an annual effort of the Suffolk News-Herald, supported by individuals, businesses, groups, foundations and more from throughout the Suffolk area. Every dollar raised goes to help purchase toys for local children to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

The gifts are purchased and distributed through the Salvation Army Suffolk Corps. The corps’ Christmas efforts served 1,923 children this year, according to Capt. Shauntrice Anthony.

Head elf Margie Wiley thanked supporters of the Cheer Fund.

“The Suffolk Cheer Fund was able to reach its goal of raising $40,000 due to the generosity of the Suffolk community,” she said. “Every year since the Great Depression, it has been the mission of the Suffolk Cheer Fund to raise support through monetary donations to purchase Christmas gifts for needy children in our area. And each year, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of others who give to ensure that this mission is met.

“We sincerely want to thank all that donated to the drive in 2019, and we look forward to another successful year in 2020. But more importantly, we are grateful on behalf of the families that were able to have a Merry Christmas.”

If you missed your chance to give, donations are accepted all year long. Money donated now will help buy toys for Christmas 2020.

To donate to the Cheer Fund, send a check to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 or bring it to the newspaper’s office, 130 S. Saratoga St., from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We will list your donation in the newspaper, but it can be marked “anonymous” if you like. Donations may be made in honor of or in memory of someone. If you bring the check to our office, we’ll even take your picture as you hand it to one of our staff.

If you’d like to give online, there is a link available on the Suffolk Cheer Fund’s Facebook page.

For more information on the Cheer Fund, call 934-9609.