Waycross Journal-Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund, made its annual Christmas traditional contributions Friday morning.
The Ware County Department of Family and Children Services and Salvation Army each were presented checks December 19 for $4,787.50 from Owner/Publisher Rick Head.
The 2025 total through December 19 was $9,575 when the checks were presented. The Empty Stocking Fund received an additional $440 after the checks were presented pushing the total to $10,015. This is the fifth time in six years the fund has exceeded $10,000.
Donations still will be accepted through December 31 with both DFCS and the Salvation Army receiving a second check. The final list of donations will be released in the January 7, 2026 edition of the WJH.
Making donations Friday were:
• $300: Vise Family;
• $100: Leonard and Eva Burse;
• $100: In memory of Rebecca Bennett Johnson from Kathy and Randy Lynn;
• $50: Anonymous;
•
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Tatum.
“Sandy and I are so happy to continue the long-standing tradition of the Waycross Journal-Herald,” said Head. “The amount of money this community has given during our seven years has been tremendous.
“All the contributions from the community help those in need. Thank you and Merry Christmas.”
Representing DFACS, which helps families in Ware, Brantley, Charlton and Clinch counties, was Director Kathy Cason with Major Pamela Starr accepting on behalf of the Salvation Army.
“We’re so thankful of this gift,” each stated. “There are some very wonderful people here who are making a lot of people very happy.”
The Waycross Journal-Herald’s annual tradition began in 1932 with late Editor/Publisher Jack Williams, Sr., and has continued with Head Publishing, LLC.
Williams saw many of the community’s children going without Christmas in the Great Depression.
He set up a dinner party with turkey and all the trimmings at the Green Frog Restaurant for the needy families with young children, followed by a visit from Santa Claus.
“Jolly St. Nick” delivered gift-wrapped presents to the children.
The party has given way to an arrangement between the Salvation Army and DFCS to split proceeds.
The fund’s biggest year was 2014 when $13,632.48 was contributed. The next highest total came in 2021 with $12,215.
Fund
Continued from Page 2A Since 1984, the fund has dispursed
$332,665.64. Since 2019 under Head Publishing, LLC., the WJH has collec ted $54,967.50.
Empty Stocking Fund 1984 ..................$3,054.00
1985...................$4,679.00
1986 ..................$2,854.00
1987 ...................$4,216.30
1988 ..................$5,420.00
1989 ...................$5,257.54
1990 ..................$5,387.00
1991 ....................$7,291.87
1992 ...................$7,744.26
1993....................$6,646.11
1994 ....................$5832.12
1995 ...................$7,369.54
1996 ...................$7,422.12
1997...................$6,875.00
1998....................$7,019.16
1999....................$5,913.76
2000..................$7,228.25
2001 ..................$7,946.00
2002 ..................$7,235.36
2003..................$7,356.00
2004..................$7,825.00
2005..................$8,888.70
2006 ..................$9,376.74
2007.................$11,939.00
2008 .................$8,180.00
2009 ..................$9,977.28
2010 ..................$8,220.25
2011...................$9,798.90
2012....................$7,124.76
2013 ..................$11,675.12
2014.................$13,632.48
2015.................$10,276.00
2016...................$8,613.00
2017 ..................$11,109.77
2018...................$8,292.75
2019 ..................$3,808.50
2020 ................$10,414.00
2021 .................$12,215.00
2022................$10,020.00
2023................$10,340.00
2024 ..................$8,175.00
2025 .............# $10,015.00 41 yrs ......$332,665.64 # - Through December
22, 2025
