Posted: 2:20 PM Nov 19, 2012
Reporter: Janelle Richards

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News 12 at 11 o'clock / Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- It is a time of traditions, and the Empty Stocking Fund is one of Augusta's oldest.

The concert held at First Baptist Church Of Augusta raises funds for thousands of children and families who are less fortunate.

The sounds from the Augusta Concert Band filled the church with Christmas carols.

Ray Baird plays the trumpet for the Augusta Concert Band.

"The Augusta Concert Band is a mix of profession musicians and people like me just amateurs that just want to play in their old age," Baird said.

And when he plays , he plays for a good cause: The Empty Stocking Fund.

"I read all of that every day in the front page about how many people have given and it's really neat to be apart of that to be the instrument through which that comes. You know you are doing something good," he said.

For more than 80 years, the holiday charity has raised money to make Christmas brighter for families.

Last year alone, more than $100,000 went to hundreds of local families.

For Baird, the thought of helping others is like music to his ears.

"It's a joyous day, it's a happy day when people want to come in and give and start getting into the season. It's a joyous day," he said.

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