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Secret Santas trying to meet wants, not needs

By Christine Haines chaines@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

When Tammy O’Brien Zane posted on a social media site that she was seeking donations of used electronics as presents for teens from poor families, it sparked a flurry of negative comments.

Posters stated that the items should be sold to provide food or warm clothing, or that the poor kids didn’t need iPods or smart phones.

“You have people who believe that kids who are impoverished shouldn’t have an iPhone or Internet access. Why not?” asked Dr. Jo Ann Jankoski, associate professor of health and human development at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus,

Zane, who lives in Uniontown, didn’t let the negative comments bring her down or stop her efforts to spread a bit of holiday cheer. Zane said Christmas isn’t about needs, it’s about fulfilling dreams.

“As a kid, that’s your belief that anything can happen. It gives hope. That’s our whole goal,” Zane said. “When there’s negativity, I don’t listen to it. When a kid wants something, I try to get it for them, even if it’s a want and not a need.”

Jankoski said that Christmas can be a time to let children know they are special.

“We have kids who just want to be kids. Every now and then, they just want something extra special,” Jankoski said.

Jankoski said it’s also important to teach children to be generous to others while society is saying it’s important to have the latest technology.

“How as adults do we teach children how to give?” Jankoski said. “When I go, it’s not going to matter how many things I have.”

Jankoski said her mother taught her the importance of giving from the heart.

“My mom would make me a dozen apricot cookies and that was my present. Even today, that’s more important,” Jankoski said.

Zane used the Secret Santa program to teach her children. She has been involved with the Secret Santa program for the past five years, initially getting involved because of her children, then 12 and 13 years old.

“I was trying to teach them to be humble and that there were kids out there who don’t get all the things they did,” Zane said. “I’m not rich by any means. A lot of the kids we have don’t have anything. They don’t have the trendy things.”

Jankoski said the way individuals handle Christmas speaks volumes about their own character.

“There are people who don’t have a whole lot who give of themselves to help children. That speaks about compassion,” Jancoski said.

Zane said there are 59 children in 23 families receiving presents through the Fayette Secret Santa program she is coordinating. It is one of several groups working to meet the need in Fayette County. While she does some basic cross-checking with other organizations and social media, she tends to take people at their word that they are in need.

“There is a big loop hole between the people who qualify for assistance and families working two jobs who still can’t afford nice things,” Zane said. “If they are asking for help in this day and age, they probably need it. I believe in humanity.”

Fayette Secret Santa will be holding a toy drive this evening at the Mile Marker Cafe and Lounge in Connellsville starting at 8 p.m. today. Further information is available on the group’s Facebook page.

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