Give-A-Christmas donations near $1,000 mark
Total: $997.89
Goal: $25,000
Herald-Standard readers contributed another $335 to the Give-A-Christmas campaign, bringing the total to $997.89 — just shy of $1,000.
“This is wonderful,” said Sparkle, the Christmas star, official mascot for the campaign. “It’s just our first days, and I have a lot of hope that we’ll reach our goal of raising $25,000 to benefit the Salvation Army.”
Donations benefit Salvation Army units in the Herald-Standard readership area. Donations sent to the Herald-Standard or donated online will be given to the Salvation Army service unit that takes care of the area in which the donor lives.
“That means you are helping your neighbors when you contribute to the campaign,” said Sparkle.
A special collection, however, will be taken from noon to 5 p.m. Friday at the Kmart in Belle Vernon that will benefit the Salvation Army in the Mon Valley while a special collection will be taken 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Uniontown Walmart to benefit the Uniontown Salvation Army. Volunteers at both sites will distribute free newspapers to donors.
“Please come out and support these collections,” asked Sparkle.
The latest donations to the campaign came from Greensboro, Fayette City, Uniontown, Dunbar, Elco and Brownsville.
Sparkle also received some nice notes:
“Sparkle and Friends, Again it is that time of year. Hope you can reach your goal and make some families happy this Christmas. Enclosed is my check – small but I hope it helps. God bless you all and hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year,” wrote Jean Grover of Dunbar, who gave in memory of father Albert Young, mother Winnie Young, sister Darlene Young, brother William Young and husband Dean Grover, noting, “I miss you very much.”
“May your goal far exceed the previous years. God bless America, our American military and our new president,” wrote Steve and Linda Evon of Elco.
“Thank you so much for your kind words and donations,” said Sparkle. “Let’s keep it up.”
Other donors included Nick Mihalko, in memory of brother Andy Mihalko, Brownsville; George J. Pringle, Greensboro; Robert Stanley, Fayette City; Calvary Methodist Church, Uniontown; Anonymous, in memory of Margaret Zahradnik, Uniontown; Anonymous, in memory of MaryAnn Lindsay, Uniontown.
Donations will be collected until 5 p.m. Dec. 22. The final total will be announced in the Christmas Day edition.
Contributions may be mailed to Give-A-Christmas, in care of the Herald-Standard, 8-18 East Church St., Uniontown, PA 15401 or brought to the Herald-Standard office weekdays during business hours.