Give A Christmas drive far short of goal”Oh my,’ said Sparkle, the Christmas star and mascot for the Herald-Standard’s annual Give A Christmas campaign.
“I thought we were really getting rolling but now I don’t know. We have so long to go and so little time. We need people to donate now so that all the poor boys and girls in our area will have a nice Christmas,’ said Sparkle. Sparkle was upset because Saturday’s donations to the campaign totaled only $365, upping the campaign total to $7,676.36, far short of its $40,000 goal.
The situation looks bleak with the deadline of noon Tuesday, Dec. 23, looming.
“I’m having trouble sleeping,’ said Sparkle. “I’m just so worried. There are so many children out there who need our help. We need your donation now more than ever.’
Topping the list of donors Saturday was Robin and Ken Gibson of Fairchance. They donated $100. They also sent an encouraging note to Sparkle, who noted that all the proceeds from the campaign benefit the Salvation Army, which distributes the funds to its local units.
“We see you are having trouble this year. Don’t worry, things will work out. We’re here for you!’ wrote the Gibsons.
“That makes me feel so good. We just need more people to donate,’ said Sparkle.
Several other people also sent encouraging notes to Sparkle.
“Dear Sparkle. Please accept this donation in memory of my husband, Kenneth Arnold and my brother, Norman “Bucky’ Anderson. Also in honor of my son, M Sgt. Michael Arnold who recently retired from the Air Force after serving 20 years. Sincerely hope you reach your goal,’ wrote Shirley Arnold of Smithfield.
“Dear Sparkle. Best wishes for another successful year!’ wrote an anonymous donor.
“Dear Sparkle. Sending this donation from our hearts. May all the children have a Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season,’ wrote Uniontown’s Mrs. Emma Turpin , a member of the YWBA Wednesday afternoon Bible Class on the behalf of Rev. Gwendolyn Nichols, Donovan Tracy, Nancy Jenkins and the Rev. Mary Baker.
“Everyone should give a gift that all can afford. A hug and kind word,’ wrote Linda K. Evon of Uniontown. “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.’
“Dear Sparkle. Remembering our loved ones and trying to help your efforts. In memory of our loved ones: Lula, Jack, and “Chicken’ Metzner, Josephine Rankin and Joey Alberta, Jason and Sammi Eastwood,’ wrote Gloria Holma and Ronald Eastwood of West Brownsville.
“Dear Sparkle. Please take this donation in memory of my best friend, Rita Christopher, our niece and cousin Amber Dawn Wellington and our dad and grandfather Jesse J. Arnold Sr. I hope you meet your goal. God Bless and Merry Christmas,’ wrote Debbie, Bobby and Nicole Kitta of Fairbank.
“Dear Sparkle. Lauryn Parker and I are so lucky. We have so much to be thankful for. We’d like to help make someone else’s Christmas as special as we know ours will be,’ wrote Carolyn Coughenour of Smithfield.
Other donors Saturday were: Richard and Anna Hickle of Masontown in honor of our granddaughter Alyessa Swaney; Larry and Connie Myers of Markleysburg; Chantel Angelo of Isabella; Theodora and Denise Cheatham of Brownsville; Kane and Gage Fabriziani of Newell in memory of “our Pap Fabriziani;’ Helen Grubb of Uniontown; Charles Corcoran and Christina Corcoran of Masontown; Charles and Theresa Coughenour of Smithfield for Nicole and Luke Coughenour of New Hampshire; Frank & Della Oberlechner of Smithfield in memory of Tiffany Townsend of Smithfield.