News-Record.com

The pies and breads in the newsroom last week were the result of the copy desk's selling homemade goodies to raise money. They are participating in the Great American Bake Sale to end childhood hunger.

"Many of us love to cook, and someone's always bringing in cookies or cake or some new recipe they’ve tried," said page designer Jennifer Burton, who organized the bake sale. "This was a perfect fit for us: A chance to do something good for others by doing the baking we enjoy so much."

It doesn't stop there. Three or four times a year the newsroom holds an in-house auction to sell off all the merchandise that companies send us to promote their products. Books and CDs, movies, kitchen supplies, shirts and ball caps, toys and even alcoholic beverages arrive at our door. We rarely write about them; few of them fit our conception of news.

Besides, we prefer to peddle them to the highest bidder. Because the money goes to charity, journalists who would no more pick up a dinner check often spend more than the auctioned item is worth.

This year, we raised more than $1,200. Part of it goes toward The Empty Stocking Fund, which the newspaper sponsors. The rest is spent "adopting" people for Christmas through the Salvation Army. This year, we’ve adopted a single mother and her three children, two senior citizens, and four other children.

Assignment editor Janet Brindle organizes the effort.

"The best thing is how wide-eyed the kids get when (husband) Jay and I walk through the front door carrying armloads full of presents, wearing our Mickey Santa and Minnie Santa hats. We usually tell the young kids that we're just some of Santa’s helpers and we wanted to be sure they had stuff to open on Christmas morning. Sometimes the pile of stuff we give them is taller than they are.

"But every year, it's not like we're buying extravagant gifts. More than anything, the mothers ask for sheets, towels, dishes, glasses, new underwear and warm coats for the kids. It’s those basics that most people take for granted.

"I just think it's neat how everyone comes together to help out."

It occurred to me that we had more do-gooders around here. I sent an e-mail to the newsroom staff asking what sorts of charity work and community service they do.

I got swamped with replies. And this from a group of skeptical people who rally under the cry, "If your momma says she loves you, check it out." Many people asked to remain anonymous. But I will say that we have a lot of tutors in schools, lunch buddies, Big Brothers and Big Sisters participants, and Triad Health Project volunteers.

Sportswriter Rob Daniels is a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "A friend of mine was the director at the time, and I felt compelled to get involved because I had seen so many acts of kindness from volunteers of various organizations to my ailing father," he told me.

Sports itself got a great deal of attention. Columnist Ed Hardin has coached youth basketball for 25 years. Citizen journalist editor Lex Alexander coaches youth soccer. High Point reporter Sue Schultz works with Upward Basketball.

The paper's Rockingham County staff raised more than $400 and collected several bags of groceries for the Red Cross food bank. They also sponsored a child through the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program.

We expect the journalists here to cover the news objectively and dispassionately. Reporters are prohibited to cover groups they volunteer with. But this is our community, too, and I’m proud of the work these folks do to help their neighbors.

They are no different from the thousands of people across the Triad who give so generously of their money and time.