Holiday fund hits $18k
Hearing the call for help, Herald-Standard readers contributed $4,465 more to the Give-A-Christmas fund.
Today’s total stands at $18,569.
“Our readers really care tremendously about others,” said Sparkle, the Christmas star and mascot for the program.
Donations came from Vanderbilt, Uniontown, Point Marion, Star Junction, Republic, Connellsville, Smock, Markleysburg, Perryopolis, New Salem, Hopwood, Dunbar, Brownsville, Adah, Smithfield, and Greensboro.
Sparkle has been very worried over the past few days, knowing that the campaign was far from its $40,000 goal. However, she said the huge spike in the donations touched her heart.
“I did a flip when I saw the total today,” said Sparkle. “However, we need to keep this momentum up to reach our goal. Keep in mind that your donations will benefit the Salvation Army to help the people in your area.”
Several letters and cards filled up Sparkle’s mailbox:
“God Bless you and all your good work,” wrote Linda and Barry Moore of Smithfield, who donated in memory of their parents George and Minnie Yasenosky and brother-in-law Mark Petrun.
“It wouldn’t be Christmas without Sparkle,” wrote Sandra Vrabel of New Salem, who gave in loving memory of her dear son Scott, husband Mike, daughter Robbin, and brother Ronnie. “You do such a good job for so many people.”
“Thank you for reminding us every day in our newspaper about the needs in our community and encouraging us to help,” wrote Denice and Don Robinson of Uniontown, who gave in memory of parents Laura and Paul Ferranti and Nell and Ed Robinson.
Students in Dunbar Township Elementary School’s second-grade classes also showed their support for the campaign, which taught them a very important lesson.
“Our teachers have taught us the importance of helping others,” wrote the class. “We may not have all that we want but are very fortunate to have all that we need. We hope that our donation will help make someone’s Christmas a little brighter.”
Franklin Elementary School in Vanderbilt offered students a chance to be a teacher for a day by selling tickets that benefited the fundraiser. Each classroom teacher selected three tickets, and those students will have the opportunity to teach on Dec. 20.
“I love that everyone is so excited to help, and to see that enthusiasm at such a young age is just special,” said Sparkle.
Today’s other donors include Ronald McElroy, Uniontown; Mike and Dorie Liptak, in loving memory of parents and deceased loved ones, Uniontown; Rev. Louis and Gwendolyn Dianne Ridgley, in memory of the late “Mother” Mary C. Onion, Yvonne G. Ned, Dolores Rhodes, and Helen Thomas, Uniontown; Loren Hughes, Uniontown; children and youth of Christ United Methodist Church, Uniontown; Evans Manor Community UMC and Community UMW, Uniontown; employees and owners of Clar-Mac Furniture & Appliance Sales, to remember our service people around the world, Point Marion; the Williams and Merritt families, in loving memory of Wilfred Williams of Star Junction and Jerry Merritt of Royal, Star Junction; James and Mary Lee Shetler, in honor of James Shetler’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Republic; Bob and Sandy Fee, in memory of daughter Denene Fee, Connellsville; the Triangle Class of Great Bethel Baptist Church, Uniontown; Barry, Brenda, and Brittney Lilley, Melissa Lilley and Dan Cindric, Uniontown; Kenny and Pat Rockwell, in honor of their great-grandchildren Benjamin, Lennon, Harper and Ryan, Uniontown; Jim and Norma Cunningham, in honor of their family, children, and grandchildren, Uniontown; Shirley and Bill Wilson, in loving memory of Jeremy Rugg, Amanda Wilson, and Paige Wilson DeGuspie, Markleysburg; McMillen Engineering, Uniontown; Robert and Dorothy Rocheck, in memory of parents Joseph and Mary Koleh and Joseph and Frances Rocheck, Uniontown; Bernard and Marsha Page, in memory of Dorothy Livingston, Walter Bell, Hazel L. Page, and Bobby Page, Perryopolis; Nathan Lewis Fort Necessity Lodge 254, New Salem; Ladies Auxiliary of the Hopwood Amvets Post 103, Hopwood; Larraine Susa, in memory of parents Michael and Martha Susa, her much loved aunt Pauline Turjanica, and Maria Elias, a beautiful soul and talented young lady who also loved to share the spirit of Christmas, Uniontown; Bernadine Rattay, in loving memory of her dear parents Frank and Helen Wesolowsky of Masontown, Uniontown; Carol, Wes, and Lou, in loving memory of Scott Sibula, Brownsville; Ron and Janet Cole, in memory of the Cole and Amdy families, Uniontown; Cynthia and Walter Frankhouser, Adah; Bill and Carol Vargo, in memory of parents Ellis and Gertrude Farkus and Joe and Catherine Vargo, Star Junction; G. Phil and Command Sgt. Major Diana Palya Bokoch (US Army retired), in memory of Sgt. Eric R. Hull, Uniontown; Bill and Penny Dean, in honor of their five grandchildren: Tyler, Zachery, Clay, Wyatt, and Chloe Dean, Vanderbilt; Masontown Business and Professional Women, in memory of Rose Corodi, Betsy Bailey, and Rae Nicholson, Uniontown; Jack and Joyce Ozanich, in honor of their grandchildren Alexander Suba, Mariah and Micah Evans, Uniontown; Ladies Aid Society of Calvin United Presbyterian Church, in remembrance of loved ones, Brownsville; Session of Calvin United Presbyterian Church, in remembrance of loved ones, Brownsville; Jean Valosich, in memory of husband John Valosich, brother George Croftcheck, parents Martha and Fred Swaney, Andy Croftcheck, and in-laws Steve and Lucy Valosich, Smock; Pete and Enda Guritza, Greensboro; Ed and Vicki Maldovan, in memory of John and Victoria Barno, John and Lovetta Maldovan and Rich Maldovan, Uniontown; and others who requested anonymity.
Contributions will be accepted until noon Dec. 23. The total amount will be reported in the Christmas Eve edition of the Herald-Standard.
Donations can be mailed to Give-A-Christmas, P.O. Box 1147, Uniontown, PA 15401 or brought to the Herald-Standard office in Uniontown from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Sparkle cans also have been placed in numerous store locations in the Herald-Standard distribution area.