Never a better time
to help those in need

For those who weren’t fortunate enough to truly enjoy a Thanksgiving celebration highlighted by wonderful food and family bonds, the weeks leading to Christmas and Hanukkah aren’t likely to offer much more happiness and promise.
That’s where the Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, an ongoing holiday campaign sponsored by the Times and supported by readers, tries to help.
"Our neighbors are experiencing a terrible time this year," one reader wrote to us last week. "Both the husband and wife are ill and unable to work. They are taking care of their grandson because his mother can’t. They have no idea where they will find money to put food on the table. They are proud people and do not want to take handouts. I can’t watch people starve because they won’t accept help from their neighbors. Can you help them?"
Her letter was sent as an appeal to our holiday fund, which, for more than a half-century now, has been providing holiday turkey dinners to Northeast residents in need.
And this year, as in the past, these wishes are being fulfilled by our readers’ financial contributions to the fund, enabling the newspaper to purchase the meals and distribute them to those who are found to be in dire need of help.
Your contribution is so critical again this year. And it doesn’t have to be a lot. From one year to the next, many residents, church groups and community organizations have selflessly contributed to the fund, mindful of the despair or difficult challenges — job layoffs, medical problems, family deaths — faced by others.
In recent days, contributions have started to arrive at our office. But so have the letters appealing for help.
"Your help has made my last few years just a little brighter," wrote one Northeast senior citizen who has been aided in the past. "Thank you for your help and for caring. Do you think you can help me again this year?"
It’s all about counting our blessings.
Readers of the Northeast Times are the reason the fund has existed for 52 years, started so long ago by Eleanor Smylie, the late chairwoman and matriarch of the family that owned the newspaper for 65 years.
From holiday season to holiday season, the charitable fund has been supported by the caring ways and financial donations of people throughout the Northeast, people who last year helped our campaign distribute more than 55 dinners with all the trimmings to people in need — both individuals and families — throughout the area.
"My mother is raising four of her grandchildren on her Social Security and a little pension from my father," a young mom wrote to us. "She gets no financial help and has problems paying her mortgage and utilities. I do whatever I can, but I have three children of my own. Any help for her this Christmas will be deeply appreciated."
Your caring ways help us to fulfill such requests. Contributors to the fund often enclose brief notes expressing their own feelings of good fortune, and wanting to share some happiness with others who are less fortunate. And that’s the real joy of giving — you feel good by helping others to feel good, to enjoy a meal that you have helped to make possible.
As usual, we’ll be publishing the names of readers who have donated to the fund. Or, if you prefer, we’ll honor your wishes to remain anonymous.
We gladly welcome letters from Northeast residents who are facing a particularly tough time this season and would be grateful for a special holiday dinner. Or, if you’re a relative or neighbor who knows of someone, tell us about it.
So readers, please, if you can help, send contributions to the Northeast Times Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, 2512 Metropolitan Drive, Trevose, PA 19053.
If you or someone you know is in need of a holiday meal, please write us a short letter explaining why assistance is needed. Include your name, address and telephone number. Also, we require that people asking for help provide the name and phone number of a person or agency so that we may verify a recipient’s situation. Those letters also can be sent to the Times, in care of the Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, at the address above.
And keep one thing in mind. The amount of money you can donate isn’t what’s important. Every contribution is valued. Combined, they will achieve so much to make someone’s holiday just a bit happier.
For so many years, our readers have made a difference. Thank you. ••