Dec 3, 2006 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

DAWSON – Having been through her own share of rough times, Barb Wilhelm of Dawson knows what it’s like to have nothing. She also knows there are good people out there willing to help others who are down and out.

When her house burned down a few years ago, Wilhelm said she and her husband lost everything. But Wilhelm said she was fortunate in that neighbors offered their support, donating furniture and clothing for her and her husband.

“All we had to buy was a TV,” she said.

Now that she’s on her feet again, Wilhelm said she wants to repay all the kindness bestowed upon her by helping others.

She does so by volunteering with the Salvation Army.

Wilhelm is responsible for collecting toys and distributing them, along with clothing and food vouchers, to families in need this holiday season.

The Dawson-Perryopolis Salvation Army Unit will provide toys and other needed items for more than 75 children and their families this Christmas, according to Wilhelm.

“I feel sorry for these families when I see them. I know how hard it is trying to make it in this area,” she said.

Wilhelm will spend the next few weeks going through toys and clothing, separating everything into categories for boys and girls depending on size and age.

Although heading up such a large project is time consuming, especially for someone who already works two part-time jobs, Wilhelm said she can’t imagine not being involved.

She said her duty is to help others.

“I’m blessed to be able to help,” she said. “When I needed help, people were there, so why shouldn’t I help someone else, too?”

Wilhelm said she believes “it’s better to give than receive.”

Referring to volunteering as a rewarding experience, Wilhelm said she’ll keep at it as long as her health holds out.

“I think you get rewarded when you help people,” she said.

Wilhelm said her reward is knowing children who would otherwise have nothing will have gifts to open and food to eat on Christmas.

“I’d like to be there Christmas morning when the children open their gifts, to see their faces,” she said.

Wilhelm said the Dawson-Perryopolis Service Unit operates on a “shoestring” budget but that the unit “always makes do.”

However, she said donations are always welcomed, especially during the winter months when money is needed the most.

Anyone wishing to donate can give to the Herald-Standard’s Give-A-Christmas program, featuring Sparkle. All of the money collected from local residents by the Herald-Standard is turned over to the Salvation Army, which distributes it to local units like Dawson-Perryopolis.

Donations can be made to Give-A-Christmas, P.O. Box 1147, Uniontown, PA, 15401 or brought to the desks of the Herald-Standard offices in Connellsville and Uniontown weekdays during business hours. Also, Sparkle cans have been placed in 250 store locations in the Herald-Standard distribution area. For more information, call 724-439-7500.