The Red Stocking Fund got a big boost Friday with a check that was large in size and amount: $13,500 from Safeco Insurance as part of their Make More Happen contest.

“It’s just unreal,” Red Stocking Fund co-chairman Susie Wallo said, looking down at the check that was almost as long as she is tall.

Every summer, the insurance company recognizes agencies that support local charities. This year the Red Stocking Fund, recognized through Martha’s Vineyard Insurance, was one of 33 organizations that received $3,000. The fund also received the most votes in an online competition and was given an additional $10,000. Because more than 28,000 people voted, every organization received an additional $500.

Started in 1938 by a few women who knit stockings at Christmas for Island children in need, the Red Stocking Fund now supports more than 300 children every year around the holiday season. Volunteers use donations to purchase warm clothes, pajamas, books and art supplies, and community members donate toys.

Parents and guardians that need assistance can fill out applications stocked at schools and banks, and before Christmas the organization wraps, packages and organizes everything to be picked up.

The fund usually receives most of its donations through three major sources each year: the Great Chowder Contest, mvyradio’s Big Chili Contest and the annual fundraiser by the Martha’s Vineyard Harley Riders. This donation brought in about the same amount of money raised at a single fundraiser.

“At first I thought you guys were joking when I heard $13,000,” Ms. Wallo told the representatives from Safeco Insurance. “You made this huge contribution to make this all happen.”

This year Red Stocking will encourage donors, whether individuals, families, or groups, to sponsor a child. Instead of a general donation, the sponsors would get a profile of a child and buy specifically for that child.

“You feel this connection when shopping for them, it takes over,” said co-chairman Leslie Frizzell.

She said the Safeco donation will be a big help to the organization, which gets calls as late as Christmas morning looking for help.

“This is huge,” she said. “I mean, this is huge.”

To donate to the Red Stocking Fund, to sponsor a child, or for more information, contact Susie Wallo at 508-776-6050, email redstockingfund@gmail.com, or send mail to P.O. Box 600, Edgartown, MA, 02539.