The Coal Fund's sister ministry, the Wood Ministry, is in need of volunteers.

"The Wood Ministry has been very busy delivering wood to clients who heat with wood. At the end of this week they will have delivered over 400 loads of wood," said Carmen Ricker, executive director of Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries.

Community Ministries, an outreach of the Greeneville-Greene County Ministerial Association, administers the Coal Fund, the Food Bank, and several other charitable efforts.

Ricker noted that the Wood Ministry, which is also a multi-church effort, helps the Coal Fund campaign indirectly by providing wood to residences that heat with wood stoves.

She explained that the Wood Ministry helps the Coal Fund because the wood delivered to needy individuals does not cost anything, thereby allowing Community Ministries to use Coal Fund contributions to assist more families that do not heat using wood.

But, Ricker said, "The [Wood] ministry is in need of volunteers."

"If you would like to volunteer with this ministry, please contact David Andrew at 552-3501 or Tony Williams at 823-1932."

The Coal Fund, which is sponsored by The Greeneville Sun to assist with winter heating needs of local families experiencing need, has raised a year-to-date total of $65,273.03.

Since the last report on Dec. 13, a total of $14,250 in financial donations has been received by Community Ministries, which administers the Coal Fund without any charge so that all donations go entirely to provide warmth to those in need of that form of assistance.

Ricker told of two families the Fund has helped.

The first consists of a mother, father and four children, one teenager and three younger. All are in school.

"Presently there is no income, and everything seems to be going wrong," said Ricker.

She said the family requested help with heating and a utility bill.

"It is heartbreaking for situations such as this, especially during the celebration of Christmas," Ricker said.

The second family consists of a single mother and three children, who receive little help from the father.

"They were doing OK until her father was diagnosed with cancer and moved into the home," Ricker said.

"He needs a caregiver; therefore, she cannot work outside the home. He does draw a small disability check, but it is not enough to keep emergencies covered.

"They were in a bad need of propane to heat the house, and with his medical problems, he stays cold. They are having a rough time, but their faith is good so things will be better," Ricker said.

Contributions since the last report include:

* Robert W. King, $100;

* Phillip and Barbella Hall, $25;

* In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Cook by Family, $250;

* In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Knipp by Family, $250;

* In memory of Bronson Cook and Teresa Diane Cook by Family, $250;

* In memory of Stella Shelton and Lucille Gosnell by Family, $250;

* The Bobbie Pierce Study Group of Asbury United Methodist Church, $100;

* LaRue Bible Class of Asbury United Methodist Church, $100;

* In honor of Mary Ruth Edds by Anonymous, $50;

* Hans and Osa Andersen, $100;

* In honor of Cindy Sams and Whitney Ball by Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, $375;

* Zion Family and Community Education Club, $100;

* Zion Presbyterian Church, $1,000;

* Trinity United Methodist Church, Shalom Sub-Group, $50;

* Mt. Olive Red Hill Church, $500;

* Anonymous, $200;

* Faith Temple, $400;

* Sue-Ella-Anne Circle of Cedar Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, $100;

* Ladies Class of Mt. Carmel Church of Sunnyside, $100;

* In memory of Edward and Johnnie Roberts by their family, $500;

* In honor of Mr. and Mrs. John Fisher by Scott and Niiki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Mr. and Mrs. John McInturff by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Mr. and Mrs. John Tweed by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Ms. Linda Irwin by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Mrs. Nancy Dishner by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Jeff Idell by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Bill Brown by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Carla Bewley by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Michael Douty by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Linda Stroud by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Lauren Plucker by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Key by Scott and Nikki Niswonger, $25;

* Robert I. and Catherine R. Brown, $50;

* Stevie Hughes, $5,000;

* Caney Branch Home Demonstration Club, $100;

* Anonymous, $100;

* Alex S. Jones, $100;

* In honor of Rosetta and Hugh Wells by Ruth and Herbert Whitfield, $200;

* Susan C. Acuff, $100;

* Greenlawn Baptist Church, $100;

* In honor of Annette Davis by Gleaner's Guild Sunday School Class of Clear Springs United Methodist Church, $100;

* Anonymous, $100;

* In memory of Leland Williams by Dolores Williams, $100;

* Lois A. Teague, $100;

* St. James Women of ELCA Ruth Circle, $200;

* Elijah Lee and Emilea K. Chapman, $100;

* Preston and Carla Fezell, $50;

* Anonymous, $75;

* Anonymous, $1,000;

* Liberty Hill United Methodist Church, $100;

* Worthy and Carole Rowlison, $200;

* In honor of Adina, Becky, Judy, Irene, Robin, Allison, Andrea, Heather, Loretta, Sharon, Teresa, Tonya, and Vicki -- Greeneville Internal Medicine Staff by Manager, Robbie, $300;

* James G. and Janet T. Morgan, $100;

* Berta W. Lyon, $50;

* In honor of Stan Ritter and Michael Ritter by Superior Office Staff, $100;

* Dana Michelle Williams, $50;

* In honor of Meary Peters and Linda Fullen by Dorothy L. Smith, $50;

* Christ United Women of Christ United Methodist Church, $200;

* Charlotte L. Peters, $25;

* In memory of Jerry Hammontree by Wendy Hammontree, $200;

* Benny and Jeanne Laws, $200.

The annual Coal Fund Campaign runs from Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, but Ricker said Community Ministries will accept additional donations throughout the year.

Those who would like to contribute to the Coal Fund can deliver checks (payable to The Coal Fund) or cash directly to the Community Ministries office at 107 N. Cutler St., between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.

Contributions also can be mailed to:

The Coal Fund

P.O. Box 545,

Greeneville, TN 37744

Those that would like to make donations to the Wood Ministry directly may mail them to:

Greene County Firewood Ministry,

80 Splatter Creek Road,

Chuckey, TN 37681