The 2009 Coal Fund campaign ended with a final donation total of $128,761, according to Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries Executive Director Carmen Ricker.

Sponsored by The Greeneville Sun and administered without charge by Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries, the Coal Fund seeks donations from individuals, churches, employee groups, organizations, and businesses to help fellow Greene Countians who would otherwise be unable to heat their homes during the winter months.

Community Ministries, a United Way agency created and sponsored for many years by the Greeneville-Greene County Ministerial Association, also administers the Food Bank, which assists local citizens in need of food, and other outreach agencies.

On Wednesday, Ricker said that since the last Coal Fund update on Dec. 31, and additional $6,050 had been received from individuals, churches and businesses.

That, she said, took the final total for the campaign, which began on Thanksgiving, to $128,761.

Although that total was down from the 2008 campaign's record total of $141,893, Ricker said she was "very happy" with this year's total in view of the current state of the economy.

Ricker thanked everyone who has contributed to the Coal Fund Campaign this year.

"The contributions have been fantastic," she said.

She noted that many individuals who had never before contributed to the Coal Fund Campaign contributed to the 2009 campaign.

"Many, many people we were able to help since Thanksgiving would have been very cold had it not been for the Coal Fund Campaign," Ricker said. "During the current economic crisis, many people's problems have gone from bad to worse."

Ricker also thanked the Greeneville Wood Ministry for its help in cutting and providing firewood free of charge to those who heat their homes with wood.

The Wood Ministry, which is operated by area churches, is continuing to cut and deliver wood to those in need, Ricker said.

"We certainly thank them (the Wood Ministry) for their caring and assistance," she said.

The heating-assistance program made possible by contributions to the Coal Fund Campaign continues until April 30 "if our funds last," Ricker said.

She also pointed out that, "we have a lot of cold weather yet to contend with this year."

Those who have made donations to the 2009 Coal Fund Campaign since the last campaign update include:

* Anonymous, $300;

* Fayette "Butch" Jones in Memory of Ruby Lynch, $25;

* Alex S. Jones, $150;

* Greeneville Federal Bank, $1,000;

* William F. and Shirley E. Kelly, $25;

* Pat P. Easterly, $25;

* Staff of McInturff Milligan & Brooks, $195;

* Warehouse Employees of Greeneville Light & Power System, $100;

* The Genesis Class of Trinity United Methodist Church in Honor of our Sunday School Class Teachers, $200;

* Earl and Marlene Howe in Memory of Ruby Bible Lynch, $100;

* Blanche Sauls in Memory of Frank Sauls, $100;

* Dr. Suzanne B. Klyman in Memory of William E. Bowman, Sr., $500;

* Anonymous, $3,000;

* Zion FCE Club, $100; and

* Zion Presbyterian Church, $230;