There’s a lot to love about the holiday season, but not much gets us more amped than Giving Tuesday, a global initiative launched in 2012 to promote generosity + encourage folks to do good. Arguably the biggest giving day of the year across the globe, it takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and is an opportunity for people to make donations to their favorite charities, non-profits, and philanthropic organizations.

Last month, we invited you, our dear readers, to help bring awareness to the local orgs that help keep our communities connected + running, and we told y’all we’d choose one lucky organization at random to receive a $1,000 donation from 6AM City and a special shout-out in the newsletter.

We received so many thoughtful nominations, and today we’re delighted to highlight the winning organization, The East Ridge Needy Child Fund. To ensure everyone knows who they are, what they do, and why their work is so important to the folks in Chattanooga, we’re sharing a brief Q + A sesh with them. Read on and enjoy some good old-fashioned educational warm fuzzies (’tis the season, after all).

President of the East Ridge Needy Child Fund Alicia Stanfield answered the below Q&A.

Q: What is the purpose of your organization?
A: The purpose of the East Ridge Needy Child Fund is to serve the children in our community. Our goal is to make sure all children in East Ridge have a happy holiday not only through providing presents but much-needed clothing and food. During the rest of the year we are available to assist with school supplies, clothing and other needs.

Q: How do you go about making that happen?
A: As a 401(c)3 nonprofit organization, we fundraise throughout the year. A volunteer board oversees all fundraising activities. We work with other community organizations, churches and businesses to make sure all requests for help can be fulfilled. We assist our families with other community resources as needed.

Q: How has the pandemic affected your work?
A: The pandemic has definitely affected our ability to fundraise. We have been unable to hold in-person fundraisers this year. We have started to investigate grant opportunities and have been looking to more businesses in the community for support. It has also affected our end of the year party with the children. In order to keep everyone safe, we have had to cancel our Santa pizza party. This is the culmination of all our hard work when we get to interact with the kids, have lunch, do holiday crafts and pictures with Santa. This year, we are working on a "party in a box" for each child to take home with them instead.

Q: What have you done this year that you're most proud of?
A: I'm proud of everything we do. The children we serve do not ask for much. It is a joy to be able to provide them with needed clothing, presents, food, basic living supplies, etc. I'm proud that when City Employees and Citizens see children in need they think to call us because they know that we will do our best to help

Q: Can you briefly share a story of how your work has helped one of your clients/the community you serve?
A: Many years ago we served a single mother raising her children. She wanted to volunteer to show her appreciation for the help her family received. Years later she has come back as a grandmother to serve on our board to continue to give back.

This past year we received a call from a City of East Ridge employee who encountered a single mother and her son. They were temporarily living in a motel while awaiting assistance from another agency for permanent housing. The donated money for their temporary stay had run out and they still had a couple of days until permanent housing was going to be available. We were able to step in to pay for the gap days at the motel so they didn't have to sleep in their car.

We also helped 2 foster children who came to their new home with very little. We received a call on Saturday morning and by Saturday afternoon, we made sure each child had several changes of clothing, underwear, socks, shoes and a coat.

Most of the children we help would not receive Christmas presents or school supplies without our help. No child should have to do without. Every child should receive new presents and have the feeling of joy during the Christmas holidays.

Q: What is the greatest challenge to your organization and its work?
A: Fundraising is one of the greatest challenges. There are many wonderful non-profit organizations in our city. Every one of them needs money to fulfill their goals. Competition for those fundraising dollars is very high. Competition for volunteers is also a very big challenge, especially this year with the pandemic. We have to be more and more creative to get those dollars and volunteers.

Q: What is the one thing you wish people knew or understood about the work you do?
A: I wish more people understood the joy this type of work brings to your soul and your heart. It's hard work without pay. But it is rewarding to see how even the smallest things can really affect another person's life - especially a child's life. Seeing the joy and smiles on the faces of the children we serve is worth every minute!