Herald-Standard Give-A-Christmas Day gives boost to campaign
GOAL: $50,000
CURRENT TOTAL: $9,407.18
The Herald-Standard Give-A-Christmas Day brought in $3,477.18, while the latest donations from readers added up to $950, making the current campaign total $9,407.18. This gives a great boost to the Give-A-Christmas goal of raising $50,000 to benefit the Salvation Army.
“That’s so wonderful!” said Sparkle, the Christmas star, who is the official mascot for the campaign. “We had a terrific Herald-Standard Give-A-Christmas Day, and it’s brought a lot of momentum to the campaign. Our readers are responding and showing their generosity.”
The Herald-Standard Give-A-Christmas Day took place last Friday with Herald-Standard executives, directors and other employees who volunteered at locations throughout the readership area, passing out newspapers to people who made contributions to the campaign.
“Awesome,” said Sparkle. “We’re so glad to see these funds come in and want to thank everyone involved in making the day a success.”
Sparkle also wants to acknowledge donations that came into the Herald-Standard office from readers in Uniontown, Fairchance, Smithfield, Masontown, Newell, Brownsville, Fayette City, Hopwood, McClellandtown and Farmington.
“So many wonderful people are taking time to be part of this campaign, and we are so grateful,” said the Christmas star.
Sparkle also received many nice notes:
“Thank you for helping those in need. Merry Christmas,” wrote Jim and Joyce Matthews of Fairchance.
“Sparkle, We hope this little bit will help. Wish we could give more. We have 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. We are so very blessed. Hope you meet your goal. There are so many needy people out there,’ wrote Sandy and Dee Howell of Smithfield.
“Dear Sparkle, Enclosed is a donation to help with your campaign. Let’s all give whatever we can to give others a Merry Christmas,” wrote Ted and Ginny Shutok of Uniontown.
“Dear Sparkle, I hope you reach your goal and remember Jesus is the reason for the season,” wrote Rose Ann Valeri and family of Masontown, who gave in memory of John Valerie Sr., John Valeri Jr. and Timothy James Valerie.
“Happy Holidays,” wrote Wilma O’Donnell, secretary, with a donation by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brownsville Eagles Aeries 1356.
The officers and members of the Fayette County NAACP gave a donation in memory of the late Lt. Col. (Retired) Louis E. Ridgley Sr., who passed away Nov. 14 and was a Silver Life Member of the unit. They noted in their letter, “Mr. Ridgley loved God, his family and lived a blessed life, having reached the age of 97 years old. His generosity and compassion touched many lives. The late Lt. Col. (Retired) Ridgley will always remain a precious jewel to his family and those that knew him well. Wishing you the blessings of his Holy Season.”
“Thank you, Sparkle, for all the wonderful work you do! Christmas blessings,” wrote Stan and Sheryl Dennis of Hopwood, who gave in honor of their grandchildren Aubrey and Brady Dennis.
“Merry Christmas,” wrote Cel and Joe Baranek of Smithfield, who gave in memory of parents Joe and Anna Baranek.
“Hello Sparkle, Greetings and good wishes for another successful Give-A-Christmas campaign. We have enclosed our donation in memory of our deceased family members and friends. Merry Christmas to all,” wrote the friends from Brnich’s Bar in High House.
“Dear Sparkle, This year instead of getting, we are giving. We love to help people who don’t have as much as we do. We are so glad we have the opportunity to help others. Merry Christmas,” wrote Lauryn and Maddie Price of Smithfield.
“We hope you reach your goal,” wrote anonymous in McClellandtown.
“May everyone have a blessed holiday this year,” wrote Margaret S. Dugan of Farmington, who gave in memory of “my dear daughter who I lost to cancer this year, Danielle Ruth Dugan Jones.”
Today’s other donors include Mary Jo Sigut, in memory of her parents Joseph and Louise Marian, Uniontown; William and Terry Ainsley, in memory of their parents Jim and Nan Gergely and Paul and Jeanne Ainsley, Uniontown; Marcella Scaramucci, in memory of all the deceased members of Myrga and Scaramucci families, health and safety of all living members and world peace, Newell; Thomas Lucas, in memory of his wife, Dorothy Lucas, Hopwood; Ethel Kronish and Denise Stalnaker, in remembrance of Stanley Kronish, McClellandtown; Ruth Kelley, in memory of Dr. Clarence R. Kelley, Freda and Henry Festog, Henry W. Festog, Eugene and Jackie Festog, Frank Hoferer, Evert Stafford and Mildred Stafford, Uniontown; Calvary United Methodist Church, Uniontown; Edward and Margaret Peters, Fayette City; Steve Minnick, Fairchance; Marlin Sesler, in memory of Marlin Sesler, Smithfield.
“Thank you so much for all your kind words and thoughts,” said Sparkle. “We are so happy you decided to be part of Give-A-Christmas, and remember, if you are thinking of making a donation yet, won’t you please do it today?”
Donations to the campaign will be accepted until noon on Dec. 23 with the grand total announced in the Christmas Eve edition of the Herald-Standard.
Readers can contribute by making online donations to the campaign at salvationarmywpa.org/GiveAChristmas, mail contributions to Give-A-Christmas, c/o Herald-Standard, 8-18 E. Church St., Uniontown, PA 15401 or bring them to the Herald-Standard office in Uniontown from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Sparkle cans also have been placed in numerous store locations in the Herald-Standard distribution area.