Readers send more to Give-A-Christmas
Herald-Standard readers donated $775 to the 2006 Give-A-Christmas campaign Wednesday, bringing the total to $10,583.71. “Am I worried? Yes, I must admit that I am,’ said Sparkle, the Christmas star, who is mascot for the campaign. “We only have until Dec. 22 – that’s next Friday – to reach our goal of raising $40,000 to help the Salvation Army in this area. We have nearly $30,000 left to raise and the days are going by fast! Won’t you please consider helping us now?’
But the Christmas star wanted to take time to thank those who did contribute today. Donors came from Uniontown, Smithfield, Connellsville, McClellandtown, Fayette City, Masontown, California, Newell, Hopwood and Grindstone.
Groups that participated included Fayette County School Nurses Association, who asked their gift be spread throughout Fayette County, and the Grove Class of McClellandtown Presbyterian Church.
“Thanks to all of you for helping us. You’re really made my day,’ said Sparkle.
The mail also brought many kind notes for Sparkle, including:
“Dear Sparkle, Thank you for your good works,’ wrote Nancy Marks of Hopwood.
“Sparkle, Keep up the good work. Merry Christmas to all,’ Anonymous in California wrote.
“Give-A-Christmas drive: Happy holidays to all. I hope you reach your goal,’ wrote Albert Brennsteiner Jr. of McClellandtown.
“Dear Sparkle, Thank you for making Christmas brighter for so many families. Merry Christmas to all,’ Frank and Barbara Hoferer of Uniontown wrote.
“Dear Sparkle, Every little bit helps. Keep on plugging and we are sure you will reach your goal. Good luck and a Merry Christmas,’ wrote Steve and Theresa Petruska of Uniontown.
“Sparkle, Nice to greet you again at Christmas 2006. I am a 54-year-old man confined to a motorized wheelchair with cerebral palsy who lives in a downtown Uniontown apartment. Please accept this donation for the Connellsville unit in memory of my father and mother. Keep up the good work, God bless you and Merry Christmas,’ wrote Charles C. Conko of Uniontown.
“Thanks again for all the nice notes. I enjoy reading them and all the wonderful things you have to say,’ said Sparkle. “And I hope to receive more from other readers who decide to participate. Remember that we have only one more week left in this campaign and I really hope we make our goal.’
The deadline for donations is noon Dec. 22. The final total will be reported in the Christmas Eve edition of the newspaper.
Donations can be mailed to Give-A-Christmas, P.O. Box 1147, Uniontown, Pa. 15401 or brought to the offices of the Herald-Standard in Connellsville and Uniontown weekdays during business hours. Sparkle cans also have been placed in 250 store locations in the Herald-Standard distribution area.
Today’s donations include Sam and Mary Jo Seeman, in honor of grandson Samuel, Uniontown; Marlin and Bernice Sesler, to honor Renee Wheeler who just graduated nurses’ training, Smithfield; Charles C. Conko, in memory of father and mother, Stephen P. Sr. and Johanna P. Conko, Connellsville; G. Phil Bokoch and Diana Palya Bokoch, in memory of Sgt. Eric Hull, Uniontown; Mary Ellen Bittinger, Uniontown; Steve and Theresa Petruska, Uniontown; Fayette County School Nurses Association; Ann Renne, Uniontown; Mary Bandzuch, in memory of husband Andy “Nineball” Bandzuch, Uniontown; Frank and Barbara Hoferer, in memory of Henry and Freda Festog, Gene and Jackie Festog, Henry Festog Jr., Clarence R. Kelley and Frank and Helen Hoferer, Uniontown; Albert Brennsteiner Jr., McClellandtown; Vivian Poindexter, Fayette City; the Grove Class of McClellandtown Presbyterian Church, McClellandtown; Paul Verska, Masontown; Anonymous, California; Marcy Scaramucci, in memory of husband Lou Scaramucci and Dad and Mom-Pat and Mary Myrga, Newell; Nancy Marks, in memory of daughter Jenny Lea Marks Frazee and her dad John (Bill) Marks, Hopwood; Charles and Christina Corcoran, Masontown; Jim and Becky O’Neil, in memory of Joe Serpento and Denise Smiley, Uniontown; Lawrence and Virginia McVey, in memory of Inez Thomas (Tom-Tom), Katherine McVey (Gran) and Jaci Roby, Grindstone.