Christmas comes on Friday, and many local folks are looking forward to opening presents and chowing down at dinner. For others, though, the holiday won’t be special.
Some people in our community cannot afford a big Christmas meal, and don’t have money to spend on gifts for the young loved ones in their lives.
Thankfully, our readers are helping out.
The Times’ annual Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, now in its 67th year, has helped thousands of local families since its inception.
Each year, we ask our readers to contribute to the fund. All money collected is used to buy gift cards to provide holiday dinners and presents to those who are struggling to make ends meet.
Each donation will make a difference, regardless of the amount, and will help ensure each child will have at least one present this holiday season.
The Times will publish your name in a list of donors. If you prefer to donate anonymously, we will honor that request.
The gift cards, to local supermarkets, go to individuals and social service organizations that help the less fortunate during the holidays. So far this year, we’ve received many generous contributions.
Also, we’ve heard from well over 150 people seeking help.
A Holmesburg woman cannot work because of chronic pain, and she has to raise three children under age 15, including one with autism. A Tacony woman is struggling to raise her disabled son. And a Mayfair widow is raising a teenage son, but she cannot work because of health issues.
If you are able to donate, please send a check to:
Eleanor Smylie Community Fund
3412 Progress Drive, Suite C
Bensalem, PA 19020
Any amount will help, and we will be distributing the gift cards up until Christmas Eve.
Thank you for your consideration, and have a Merry Christmas.
Here are some of the contributors to this year’s fund:
• Anonymous $250
• Fernando and Ava Tavares $20
• Jean M. Kolb $20
• Mary Lou and Ronald Begley $15
• Robert Cohen $20
• Joe and Donna Tomaselli $25
• Anonymous $5
• Lucy Markarian $21
• Philip and Jacquelynn Diaz $25
• Anonymous $50
• In memory of Albert and Emily Mikutis $100
• Anonymous $50
• Anonymous $25
• In memory of Edna Luczejko $25
• Mary I. Clay Fund/Perseverance Encampment 135 $150
• Nadalee and Irvin Farber $50
• Anonymous $50
• R. and F. Dooley $50
• Mrs. Vernacchio and family $15
