Neighbors Helping Neighbors have a Brighter Christmas

Thanks to the generosity and kindness of Randolph County citizens, many people have received assistance over the years through Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) have a Brighter Christmas program (formerly The Courier-Tribune, Brighter Christmas Fund). 

Although this effort is now a year-round program administered by Christians United Outreach Center, the appeal for partnership only takes place around Thanksgiving and Christmas.  During this holiday season, we are looking to serve folks of our community just as Brighter Christmas Fund did for many years. 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors have a “Brighter Christmas” is directed by a committee of human service professionals. These volunteers represent many organizations, including Randolph Hub, Randolph County Senior Adults Association, Randolph County Habitat for Humanity, Randolph County Veterans Council, Christians United Outreach Center and At-Large Community Members.

The purpose of the NHN have a “Brighter Christmas” effort is to make the community aware of special needs that are usually not addressed by existing human service agencies. If a request is received for services currently being offered by a local agency, the request will be referred. For instance, a request for food or clothing would be referred to CUOC or a Christmas for children requests will go to Operation Red Sleigh or Salvation Army. 

Donors

Through the end of the year, we will post specific requests sharing the service or need that applicants have requested help with. You can meet these by donating money specifying the case you want to help in the memo line of your check, as well as by donating specific goods or providing the services requested.

Anyone interested in donating goods or services please call CUOC at 336-625-1500 ext. 222. You may leave your name and a working number along with the # of the request you would like to provide assistance for (each case is assigned a number). A committee member will return your call as soon as possible. 

Checks should be made to CUOC / Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

Donors who wish to remain anonymous or to donate to a specific request can write the case # on the memo line of their check. You can also go to the CUOC website www.mycuoc.org (click on “give back”, “sponsor)”, then select under sponsor “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Project”. Please put the case number in the notes section.

Once designated funds for specific requests are spent, additional funds received from the articles in Randolph Hub continue to provide assistance through the NHN program throughout the year as long as funding is available.

Applicants

The average NHN request is between $250-$500. Requests greater than $500 may be referred to other resources if the NHN is unable to meet the entire need.

People requesting help must send:

The fund does not provide money for monthly expenses, such as rent or utility bills.

NOTE: If the case is referred to other city or county grants, weatherization or other resources, the applicant will be sent a letter letting them know we have made referral and have tentatively closed their case. We do have staff to help you complete any additional application forms you may need to apply for additional services. You will need to reapply if the referral does not work out unless it was because the request was so extensive the need could not be met. 

The address for help is:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors have a Brighter Christmas

PO Box 784

Asheboro NC 27204

When a letter is received, the committee will review each request and determine which member is most appropriate to be assigned as the lead person. The committee will meet each week to review the progress of each request and its findings. The identity of the applicants, unless consent is given, will remain confidential. 

Randolph Hub will publish stories based on applicant letters to show potential donors what special needs exist in the community and how the needs should best be met. Applicants will be informed in writing of the committee’s recommendations as soon as possible. If requests are found to be unsuitable, efforts will be made to refer the information to the appropriate human services agency.

Check out the FB page CUOC Neighbors Helping Neighbors Asheboro NC to see some of the cases we have been able to help over the last year!