Nov 30, 2004 3 min read

After stalling on Friday, donations to the Give-A-Christmas campaign picked up Monday, as Herald-Standard readers contributed another $1,320 toward a goal of $35,000. The contributions bring the fund-raising total to $3,320, with just less than four weeks remaining in the campaign, which benefits the Salvation Army.

“I knew our readers would pick up the pace and get Give-A-Christmas moving forward again,” said Sparkle, the Christmas star, official mascot for the campaign.

Donations came from all across the Herald-Standard’s readership area.

“Accept this $100 donation, hoping that others will follow and show that our area extends Christmas blessings to those in need,” wrote Rudolph G. Kochis, owner of D’s Elegant Crafts and Collectibles in Uniontown, in making a contribution.

Freddie and Jo Ann Giachetti wrote a letter with their donation: “We (ourselves) are so very blessed to have what we have, and we never want to take it for granted. We are very confident that you will meet your goal.”

And, Linda Evon of Creative Designs and Expression in Elco wrote, “God bless our troops, and protect them and bring them home safely.”

Those making donations Monday included the following: Veronica J. Mrozek of Chestnut Ridge; the Ohiopyle-Stewart Volunteer Fire Department ladies auxiliary; Glenn and Mary Townsend of Masontown, in memory of Mary Jean Townsend, from friends and family; Margaret A. Tomecheck of Adah; anonymous from California; Gail and W.J. Oswald Jr. of Perryopolis; Paul E. Verska of Masontown; Elizabeth Holly of Uniontown; Fred and Jo Anne Giachetti Jr., in memory of the Gidusko, Giachetti and Dandrea families; Donald and Sally Leaphart of Uniontown; Linda K. Evon of Elco; Rudolph G. Kochis of Uniontown; and Shirley M. Mitchell of Uniontown.

All donations are given to the Salvation Army service units in the Herald-Standard’s readership area, including those in Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland and Somerset counties.

Contributors may specify which service unit they’d like their donations to help, whether it’s the one that serves their community or one elsewhere. The Salvation Army units do not share the contributions they receive.

“Please keep the donations coming,” Sparkle said. “Every little bit you give can help the Salvation Army give a Christmas to someone in your community.”

The Herald-Standard will continue to collect funds through noon Thursday, Dec. 23.

Donations may be mailed to Give-A-Christmas, P.O. Box 1147, Uniontown 15401 or brought to the desks of the Herald-Standard offices in Connellsville, Brownsville and Uniontown weekdays during business hours.

Also, Sparkle cans have been placed in 250 store locations in the Herald-Standard distribution area.