By SANDY McGEE

WOONSOCKET — The 77th annual Milk Fund Appeal, a longstanding tradition aimed at helping working poor families and senior citizens, officially kicks off today.

Founded in 1932 by The Call and what is known today as Family Resources Community Action, the Milk Fund was created to help provide a  nutritional supplement to local children in need.
Today, the Milk Fund appeal raises funds to help put milk into the refrigerators of working poor families, and also assists elderly residents who are struggling to make ends meet while living on fixed incomes.
“In these trying times, we have the opportunity to help not only the children from poorer families, but also the elderly that are on fixed incomes,” said this year's chair of the Milk Fund, City Councilman Roger G. Jalette Sr.
Despite the ailing state of the economy, organizers are hoping this year's appeal will meet its goal of $80,000.
“I'm looking for the full $80,000,” Jalette said. “Since we put out twice as many bottles this year as last year, I expect to collect twice as much.”
Organizers fell short of last year's goal, raising only $65,000 instead of the targeted $80,000. The president of the Milk Fund board cited bad weather and a lack of volunteers as contributing factors.
“The weather was a major factor last year,” said Nancy Phillips, president of Milk Fund Inc. “ Two major events were canceled due to bad weather. The people in this area and surrounding communities are always very generous to the Milk Fund. We can just continue to hope.”
The 77th Milk Fund will commence with a total of $3,031.19 thanks to last year's donation of $25 from Loretta Costa for Dancing with the Stars tickets and $6.19 from a late milk bottle collected from Koch Eye Associates. The starting total also includes a $3,000 check donated by the Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association.
“It's a good start,” Jalette said.
The Milk Fund Appeal officially runs through Christmas Eve, but donations for the 77th drive will be accepted through New Year's Eve. Any donations tallied after Dec. 31 will benefit next year's appeal.
In keeping with The Call’s tradition, the names of everyone who makes a contribution to the Milk Fund will be printed in the newspaper.
Donations for the 77th Milk Fund can be mailed or dropped off at The Call at 75 Main St.; WOON radio, 985 Park Ave.; WNRI radio, 786 Diamond Hill Road; and Roger's Flowers, 176 Greene St.
Milk fund bottles, as well as paper bottles, have also been distributed to many local establishments.
Any business that is interested in receiving paper bottles, or have not received a plastic milk bottle for donations is asked to call Jalette at his flower shop at (401) 597-5790. The flower shop is open seven days a week, from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 to 6; and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In order to reach the projected goal of approximately $80,000 in a month’s time, both WOON radio, a Milk Fund sponsor with The Call, and WNRI radio will offer several assorted items over the air for auction bid or sale with proceeds benefiting the Milk Fund.
WOON 1240, will begin its auction on the air this Monday. Bids for assorted items will be accepted Monday to Friday from 8 to 9 a.m. up to and on Dec. 24.
Auction items will include many gift certificates from local businesses, including the Broaster House, Chan's Fine Oriental Dining, the Village Haven, Consumer's Propane and more.
WNRI 1380 has already raised hundreds of dollars through its exchange of locally donated items, according to general manager and co-owner Roger Bouchard.
The local radio station is offering items donated from local businesses for their value. For example, a $25 gift certificate can be exchanged for a $25 donation to the Milk Fund.
WNRI will continue to raise funds for the appeal each day through Christmas.
Several new events are also being planned for this year's appeal.
A “Toast to the Milk Fund” will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Vintage, 4 South Main St.
The new event will feature complementary hors d'oeuvres and special raffles.
The first prize will be a “Night for Two,” which will consist of a dozen roses, a $100 gift certificate to Vintage and two tickets to a 1964 Beatles tribute band performance to be held on Jan. 16 at the Stadium Theatre.
The second prize is entitled a “Yule Time Basket of Cheer,” which is valued at $150. The third prize is entitled a “Night of Blues at Chan's,” which includes two tickets to performances of Ernie and the Automatics to be held on Jan. 30 at Chan's Fine Oriental Dining.
Tickets for the Toast to the Milk Fund are $10.
Another new event for this year being planned is an animal photo contest. Details about the contest will be revealed soon.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, a beer and dynamite fundraiser will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at King Arthur's Banquet Hall, 179 Front St. Jeff Gamache will provide entertainment.
Tickets are $12 each or $20 for two. Proceeds will go to the Milk Fund.
Goodfellows Day, chaired by William Schneck, will be held on Dec. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lions members, the Elks Club and cub scouts will be at various locations throughout the city to accept offerings.
The Milk Fund Breakfast, sponsored by Club Par-X and Cercle Laurier, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 8 a.m. to noon at Club Par-X, 36 Stanley Ave.
The breakfast menu will consist of  juice, coffee, milk, eggs, ham, home fries, beans and bread.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children, ages 10 and younger.
The Milk Fund Roast, a popular event for the annual appeal, is currently being planned. Information about the roast will be announced shortly.
Tickets for any Milk Fund event will be available at The Call, WOON radio, WNRI radio and Roger's Flowers.
Started in 1932, the Milk Fund provides milk to the needy through vouchers redeemable at any Li’l General Store. This past year, organizers said, more than 1,000 children and elderly received milk through the program, administered by Family Resources Inc. The non-profit has been in charge of distributing Milk Fund money since the drive began 77 years ago. Those eligible to receive assistance can live anywhere in The Call’s circulation area.