Never a better time
to help those in need

The people of the Northeast always seem to come through with a helping hand when someone is in need. The Times is seeing that yet again this holiday season, as we have in past seasons, with contributions to the Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, the campaign we sponsor — with the help of Times readers — to provide holiday turkey dinners to Northeast people coping with hard times.
Thanks to your financial help, we are preparing to supply those dinners to individuals and families burdened by health problems, layoffs or the loss of loved ones, and dreading the prospect of a bleak season.
However, even now, with Christmas just 12 days away, we continue to receive somber letters asking for help. And your monetary donations — whatever you can afford — can still do so much.
As the big day draws closer, people are bustling about to get ready for the holiday, trying to approach the chaos with a smile and a plan. There are still gifts to buy. Cards to mail. That office party to attend and the family gathering to plan for.
It’s a lot to look forward to. And yet, all around us in the Northeast, there are individuals and families who aren’t likely to look beyond the day at hand. For them, the fast-approaching holiday seemingly holds little promise, little reason to look toward a new year with anticipation, with hope that this will be the year of good things.
"I am the married mother of four children," one reader recently wrote to us. "My husband has no income at this time. We are behind on our mortgage and utilities. I can’t afford to go grocery shopping every week. It’s hard hearing other people talk about their Christmas plans and know you cannot put a nice dinner on the table for your family."
Our fund exists to grant such wishes — to provide nourishing holiday meals to Northeast residents and families in need, people searching for a bright light in the midst of dark times.
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 meal, write us a 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.
We would like to thank these recent contributors:
o Christopher Artur (Artur Realty) — $500
o In memory of Stephen R. Reustle — $50
o Mary M. Roberts — $10
o Stella Feeney — $100
o Mary E. Sinni — $10
o Anonymous — $100
o Far Northeast Senior Citizens Inc. — $50
o Joseph D. Tomaino — $20
o Bella Princz — $75
o Shirley A. Quirus — $25
o Anonymous — $10
o James Albert — $20
o Frances Petrella — $8
o In memory of Walter Montgomery — $50
o Anonymous — $25
o William H. Reinhart — $25
o Richard Phillips — $10
o In memory of EWL — $40
o Sophie Mansfield — $20
o Sharon L. Bradshaw — $25
o Alice Lindley — $10
o Mayfair Presbyterian Deacon Fund — $25
o Selma Pelley — $25
o In memory of Robert L. Gill Jr. — $30
o Denise K. Wright — $25
o Ferdinand A. Toriello — $10
o Trustees Mystic Lodge #270 — $100 ••