Give-A-Christmas closes in on $40,000 goal
The 2006 Give-A-Christmas fund now stands at $39,175.70 – just hundreds of dollars away from making its goal of raising $40,000 for the Salvation Army. This is thanks to the latest contributors, who included the Albert Gallatin School District, which raised $13,498.32 for the campaign.
“Wow! Words can’t express our gratitude to the Albert Gallatin School District for all they do for this campaign year after year,’ said Sparkle, the Christmas star, who is official mascot for the campaign. “You are a true friend. And you’ve done wonderful work in this season when it’s so important to remember others.’
The school district sent this letter with its donation:
“Dear Sparkle, The students, teachers and parents of the Albert Gallatin School District are pleased to present this donation to the 2006 Sparkle Campaign.
“Schools in the Albert Gallatin School District held a variety of fund-raising projects, which were supported by students, parents, teachers, staff, local businesses and community members.
“We would like to acknowledge the generosity and effort of all those in the Albert Gallatin School District who helped to make this project so successful.’ – Sincerely, Albert Gallatin Education Association.
The association listed the individual school donations as follows: Albert Gallatin High School, $1,500; Albert Gallatin North Middle School, $1,420; Albert Gallatin South Middle School, $1,504.02; A.L. Wilson/Windy Hill Elementary School, $1,583.46; George Plava Elementary School, $1,515; Smithfield Elementary School, $2,750; Masontown Elementary School, $628.39; Friendship Hill Elementary School, $1,070; and D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School, $1,527.45.
“That’s fantastic,’ said Sparkle. “That is so wonderful!’
Other donations also came in from Uniontown, Grindstone, Lemont Furnace, Hopwood, Farmington, East Millsboro, Star Junction, Adah, Merrittstown and Lemont Furnace.
“Every gift counts especially when we’re so close to reaching our goal. Thank you so much,’ said Sparkle.
The Christmas star also received the following nice notes.
“Dear Sparkle, Hope you get a lot of money for your cause. God bless you. This is from my mom Hazel Grooms who lives at Mount Macrina Manor and is 90 years old and has always given to anyone in need. She is a wonderful lady,’ Janet Williams wrote.
“Dear Sparkle, We hope you make it to your goal. Merry Christmas!’ wrote Christy and Ray Smith Jr. of Uniontown.
“Dear Sparkle, Christmas blessings,’ wrote Jack and Monica Sweet of Uniontown.
“Dear Sparkle, We sincerely hope you will be able to meet your goal in order to help the needy to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Best Wishes,’ Foster and Kathleen Welch of Uniontown wrote.
“Thanks again to all of you,’ said Sparkle. “And remember the deadline is only hours away so if you want to make a donation, please bring it to the Herald-Standard offices in Uniontown and Connellsville before noon today. Thanks so much for participating!’
Today’s donors include Theresa and Floyd Geho, Uniontown; Bernie, Cheryl, Jeremy and Deanna Liptak, in memory of Kenneth E. Calhoun and James A. Liptak, Grindstone; Alice and Linda Conn, Uniontown; Cherry Tree Alliance, Uniontown; Gary and Susan Matthews, in memory of loved ones – Jean Matthews, Henry H. Lewis Sr., Henry H. Lewis Jr., Linda Sue Lewis-Landman, Phillip “Pie Man” Halfhill and Earl Hall, Lemont Furnace; Grant Smalley, in memory of Grammy and Pappy Mutts and in honor of Pap and Maw Smalley, Hopwood; Anonymous, Farmington; Mary Porter, in memory of very dear life-long friend, (Tully) Ruth Rankin, East Millsboro; Anonymous, Star Junction; Wife Louise Manchas, in memory of Joseph R. Manchas, Adah; Jack and Monica Sweet, Uniontown; Christy and Ray Smith Jr., in memory of parents Jean Reed and Ray “Pap’ Smith Sr., Uniontown; The Zinn Family, in memory of dad and “pap pap” William S. Kollar, Uniontown; Loretta Platos, in memory of John Platos, Michael and Pauline Sandala and John and Adda Platos, Merrittstown; Hazel Grooms, Lemont Furnace; Foster and Kathleen Welch, in honor of grandchildren Alyssa Ann, Brittany Erin, Christopher Samuel and Katelyn Nicole, Uniontown; Albert Gallatin High School; Albert Gallatin North Middle School; Albert Gallatin South Middle School; Friendship Hill Elementary School, Masontown Elementary School; George J. Plava Elementary School; Smithfield Elementary School, D. Fred Swaney Elementary, and A.L. Wilson/Windy Hill Elementary School.