The Rockingham Housing Authority’s new Executive Director Angela McGill is opening her tenure in the agency by setting a goal to provide food and/or children’s gifts to every family residing in public housing in the city.

In a Monday press release, McGill noted 2009 has been “a challenging year with a major transition with the Board of Commissioners” and her recent hire.

Despite the challenges the agency has faced, she said the RHA board and she are “reaching out to the community make a difference during the holiday season.”

“Though time is limited, we have an opportunity to do something wonderful for the RHA families by providing a bright Christmas for so many youngsters,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families that may not have a bright Christmas otherwise. There is no gift too small!”

The agency’s goal is to provide each family with food and each child with a gift for Christmas, McGill said.

“We are determined to try to put a smile on the faces of all the families that we serve in our Public Housing and Section 8 communities,” she said. “And with your help, we as a community can do it!”

The RHA is asking for unwrapped toys and monetary donations, which can be dropped off at the agency’s main office, located at 809 Armstead St. in Rockingham.

The deadline to drop off contributions is Dec. 18, and monetary donations will be used to purchase food and toys.

Checks should be made payable to the Rockingham Housing Authority, P.O. Box 160, Rockingham, NC, 28380. The donations are tax-deductible, the release reads.

The food and gifts will be distributed to the families who are served by the RHA by McGill and the agency’s board at a Christmas gathering scheduled on Dec. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Falling Creek Community Center on Hood Street.

For more information, interested parties can contact McGill at 997-3316.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.