Christmas is about giving, says Stan Byrd Sr. For 23 years he has chaired the SerCo Club’s annual Cheer Fund drive. For the past two years the Club has dedicated the campaign to someone who epitomizes that giving spirit. This year the Cheer Fund is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Bill Jarvis.

Jarvis died Dec. 3, 2006, in the Archdale home where he and his wife Thelma had welcomed so many.

“I remember Dr. Jarvis cooking barbecue all night to help raise money for the needy,” Byrd said.

“He is sorely missed by all and we wish his wife Thelma the very best,” he continued. “I hope this honor shows how very much we appreciate all the work they did for our area over the years.”

Last year’s dedication was to Homer Hicks, chaplain of the Club. Byrd said Hicks clearly understood that Christmas was about giving.

The SerCo Club believes the Archdale-Trinity community is equally committed to a giving Christmas. The goal is $20,000 in monetary donations and $5,000 in goods.

Linda and Jetty Tuttle for years have been strong supporters of the Cheer Fund, in goods and donations. For several months, the Tuttles and C.E. Anderson have been collecting teddy bears, arm loads of teddy bears.

For Linda, the Archdale-Trinity Cheer Fund is about children.

“That is the most important thing, besides God,” she said. “They are our heritage, our future. I love children and I can’t stand one to be left alone or not experience the true meaning of Christmas.

“For me, it’s about giving. I’d rather give than receive. That’s a true blessing.”

The Fund provides multiple blessings for families. The Fund is used to provide essentials like medicine, eyeglasses and clothes to families in need and it makes possible the annual Senior Citizens Banquet.

The community has several ways to help the Club reach its goal. Monetary donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 4956, Archdale, NC 27263 or dropped off at Stan Byrd Realtors, 10468 N. Main St., Suite B, Archdale.

The Club welcomes donations of new toys, books, games or riding equipment such as bicycles, tricycles and Big Wheels. All donations are tax deductible. Checks should be payable to the Archdale-Trinity Cheer Fund.

As in previous years, the Cheer Fund thermometer will be at RBC Bank in Archdale and at CommunityOne Bank in Trinity. The Archdale-Trinity News will publish weekly the names of contributors. If an error is found, please notify SerCo Treasurer Phil Skaggs at 431-9763 and a correction will be made in a later edition.