Dec 22, 2003 By Staff 6 min read

The clock is ticking. Is there enough time left for the Herald-Standard’s Give A Christmas campaign to reach its $40,000 goal.

While there’s a ways to go, if the last two days are any indication, that goal just might somehow be reached.

Saturday’s donations totaled $2,089.13, upping the campaign total to $17,514.13. That came on the heels of Friday’s donations, which totaled $2,635.

“I know we can reach our goal,’ said Sparkle, the Christmas star and mascot for the campaign. “People here are so generous. They’ll give because they want to help all the poor boys and girls out there. No one wants to see a child hungry or not have anything for Christmas.

“But time is running out, and we need all the help we can get,’ added Sparkle. “Please don’t delay in making your donation. We need the money now so we can help all those boys and girls who don’t have anything.’

Funds from the campaign are given to the Salvation Army, which distributes the money to its local units. The deadline for the campaign is Tuesday at noon.

The biggest contribution Saturday came from the students, faculty and staff at the Franklin Elementary School in Smock. The school, which is part of the Uniontown Area School District, raised $583.13 through different activities, including necktie day, green and red day and a pie in the face contest with the school’s head teacher volunteering his face.

With 153 students, the school gave an average of $3.70 per student.

“Thank you so very much,’ said Sparkle. “I’m very proud that students would give money to help other children. That’s very touching. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’

Rose Marie Meese and Solomon C. Meese Jr. also made a generous $300 donation to be divided between Salvation Army units in Brownsville, Connellsville and Uniontown. The donation was made in memory of their parents Pasquale and Maria Cimaglia and Solomon C. and Anna Meese.

The Production and Inventory Control Department at Invensys Metering Systems donated $140.

Brenda S. DelSignore of Uniontown noted several years ago, the employees there began donating money to Sparkle instead of buying each other gifts.

“I’m happy to say that the tradition has continued this year,’ wrote Delsignore. “Their gifts to Sparkle are in honor of each other, and my gift is in honor of the entire Supply Chain Department at Invensys for a job well done in the past year.’

Janet Marie and Ronald F. Cole of Uniontown donated $100 as did the Christian Mens Fellowship Breakfast of Uniontown. There was also a $100 donation made by an anonymous donor.

Along with donation also came many cards with notes of support and encouragement for Sparkle.

“Enclosed is our donation to your Give A Christmas drive in memory of my mom, Doris “Jean’ Reed, and Ray’s dad, Samuel “Ray’ Smith Sr. We hope you meet your goal. Happy holidays!’ wrote Christy and Roy Smith Jr. Uniontown.

“This donation is in memory of my beloved daughter April Lynn. May God bless each and everyone this holiday season. May you reach your goal,’ wrote Bill and Cathy Baldwin of East Millsboro.

“Dear Sparkle. Here is my yearly donation in memory of my great-grandson Christopher Guthrie and my faithful dogs and my little kitty cats,’ wrote Ann Secondini of Masontown. “Here’s hoping you have a big, big amount of money coming in. It’s a for a good cause.’

“Please accept this donation in memory of our son, Scott whom we love and miss and his grandparents, George and Eleanor Kaufman and Steve and Mary Vrabel. May you reach your goal,’ wrote Michael and Sandra Vrabel of New Salem.

“Thank you for the wonderful job you are doing for our needy children. I hope you make your goal,’ wrote members of the Ladies Aid Society of the Calvin United Presbyterian Church in Brownsville.

“My donation is in memory of my beloved son Mark. Mark, his brother and sisters looked forward to this magical holiday with the wonderment that only children can. Each year was a pageant of festivities with lighted trees in every room. While all the children would delight in the excitement and anticipation it was Mark who helped make it so special. His enthusiasm and passion for decorating brought joy to the family, year after year. My Christmas wish is that my donation will bring a child some of what my children were so fortunate to realize. Continued success in your endeavor to spread joy for those less fortunate,’ wrote Delores Barnhart of Uniontown.

“This is for those who are less fortunate than our family. Good luck on reaching your goal,’ wrote an anonymous donor.

Donations also came from four other anonymous donors, two from Uniontown, one from Hopwood and one from Masontown; Robert and Clara Pento of Masontown in honor of their two grandsons, Kyle and Zachary; Jean Zasadny of Wickhaven in memory of her parents, Russell and Goldie Chalfont and her husband Walter Zasadny; Anthony and Josephine Carolla of Uniontown; Dr. Rick Lengyel and Debra Phelan-Lukotch of Uniontown; Frank and Esther Romeo of Uniontown; Toni and Jim Anthony in memory of her mother, Jean Reed; Frank A. and Norma Julius of Vanderbilt in memory of her brother Bob and her parents Elinor and Elgie Geary; Daniel and Linda Hooper of Perryopolis; Dorothy Carlozzi of Republic in memory of her son, Jeffrey Loscko; Leroy Bair of Brownsville in memory of Henrietta Bair; Gwen Cherry of Grindstone in memory of her mom and dad, William and Delores Cherry; Lawrence and Virgina McVey of Grindstone; William and Betty Rozzell of Uniontown; Fred and Bobra Michotte of Uniontown; William J. Hubbard and Linda K. Hubbard of Uniontown; Mary and Kenneth Allison of Brier Hill; Gerald Wilson in memory of Shirley and Heidi Wilson; Glenn and Lana Crawford of Uniontown in memory of Warre E. Burks; Brandon and Olivia Crutchman of Lemont Furnace in memory of Thomas and Victoria Barkett and Ira and Kathryn Crutchman; Jerry Cleaver and his wife Joan of Farmington of memory of “Auntie Bea’ Beatrice Moser, who helped also in times of need; Jo Ann Edwards and James S. Edwards Jr. of Uniontown; Edward and Victoria Maldovan of Uniontown in memory of John and Victoria Barno and John Maldovan; Grandma Barr in memory of David who died eight years at the age of 17; Inez Friend of Uniontown and her daughters, Diane Fisher and Connie Rye; and Judy Leeper of Lorain, Ohio in memory of her parents Mike and Lil Tobak.

Readers are reminded that they can bring their donations to the Herald-Standard offices in Uniontown, Brownsville and Connellsville during business hours or mail them to Give A Christmas, P.O. Box 1147, Uniontown, 15401.