Don't know, but here is some background:
The Empty Stocking Fund's predecessor, the Journal Milk and Ice Fund, was created in 1914 by Journal reporter and society editor Florence Stratton to help provide milk and ice to low-income families in summer months. In 1920 the Journal Empty Stocking Fund was added. It collected $206 to provide food, clothing and candy during Christmas, and a group called the Good Fellows distributed the goods with a Journal truck. In the 92 years since its inception, the program has missed its fundraising goal only once. In 1980 the campaign fell $1,806 short of the $21,500 goal. And the fund originally didn't have its mascot, E.J.; he was introduced to readers in 1982. Former Enterprise-Journal artist Gene Dumatrait penned the pajama-clad tyke, whose forlorn countenance becomes a sky-high smile as the community's generosity fills his stocking. Monetary contributions can be mailed to the Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 3071, Beaumont, Texas 77704-3071.
