Residents can apply for assistance this holiday season.

The Valley Empty Stocking Fund's first application session is Nov. 18.

The fund, which the Lions Club and American Legion created in 1973, provides grocery and department store vouchers to families living in the Horse Creek Valley area who need assistance over the holiday season.

"Last year, we helped 227 families, totaling 800 people," said Mary Lee Opalewski, Valley Empty Stocking Fund coordinator. "We give out vouchers to Kmart for toys for children and vouchers to IGA and Reid's for food."

Those families eligible to receive vouchers from the Valley Empty Stocking Fund have children who attend Area 3 schools: Midland Valley High School, Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School, Leavelle-McCampbell Middle School, Gloverville Elementary School, Clearwater Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Byrd Elementary School and Warrenville Elementary School.

To submit an application, people must appear in person at the Burnettown Municipal Building on Wednesday, Nov. 18, with a picture I.D. They must also provide every household member's Social Security card, every child's birth certificate, proof of income for the entire household, rent or mortgage payment receipt and their electric, water, gas, fuel, telephone, food and any other bills.

The Burnettown Municipal Building is located at 3144 Augusta Road in Burnettown.

The Valley Empty Stocking Fund runs entirely on donations, and there is no deadline for giving.

Contributions may be sent to Valley Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 517, Langley, S.C. 29834.

The second application session is Dec. 2.

For more information, call Mary Lee Opalewski at 593-2337.