Holiday fund rises above $14,000 mark
The Give-A-Christmas total continues to rise, now standing at $14,265.50 after Herald-Standard readers sent in more donations that numbered $1,863.50.
“Oh, thank you,” said Sparkle, the Christmas star, who is the official mascot for the campaign. “We really appreciate these donations. It’s a week before we announce the final amount that we have raised for the Salvation Army and we really want to hit that $50,000 goal. We have a long way to go but we’re hoping we can make it with support from our readers.”
The latest donations came from Haydentown, Uniontown, Fairchance, Point Marion, Hopwood, Grindstone, Vanderbilt, Farmington, Adah, Brownsville, Carmichaels and Star Junction.
Sparkle also received some nice notes:
“R.W. Clark recently celebrated American Education Week, Nov. 17-21. The students participated in a multitude of activities. One of the activities involved purchasing a T-shirt. A portion of the proceeds were given to the Sparkle campaign. It is with great pride we announce to our community the R.W. Clark Elementary School raised $203.50,” wrote a representative for the school that is part of the Laurel Highlands School District.
“A donation to help the Salvation Army Christmas program provide for the less fortunate residents in the Uniontown area. Merry Christmas,” wrote Ted and Elaine Frantz.
“Please accept this donation on behalf of the members of the Fayette Board of Realtors. We hope you have a very successful campaign this year,” wrote a representative for the board.
“Thinking of the many Christmas memories from years gone by,” wrote Mara Jo (Marian) Sigut of Uniontown, who gave in memory of her parents, Joseph R. and Louie M. Marian.
“Please remember those who aren’t able to be with us over the holiday season,” wrote Zoann and David Callahan of Point Marion.
“Merry Christmas Sparkle,” wrote Jack and Joyce Ozanich of Uniontown, in honor of their grandchildren Mariah and Micah Evans, and Alexandra Suba.
“Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year,” wrote Colette Freiberg of Uniontown, who gave in memory of Freiberg, Balash and Kalifut families.
“Merry Christmas Sparkle and God bless you for all the wonderful work you do,” wrote Stan and Sheryl Dennis of Hopwood, who gave in honor of their two grandchildren, Brady and Aubrey.
“Our wish is for all children to have a Merry Christmas. God bless you for trying to make this happen,” wrote Bill and Penny Dean of Vanderbilt, who gave in honor of their six grandchildren: Tyler, Zachary, Clay, Wyatt, Chloe and Deklan.
“Keep up the good work of helping those in need,” wrote Betty Gorman of Adah, who gave in honor of all her friends on the Monday night ladies league at Fairbank bowling center and also her Wednesday night card club.
“Thanks so much for the lovely thought and good wishes,” said Sparkle. “All this goodwill is wonderful to experience in this holiday season. Remember that all the money raised by the campaign stays in the area to help your neighbors.”
Donations will continue to be accepted until noon on Dec. 23. The final amount will be reported in the Christmas Eve edition of the Herald-Standard. Donations can be mailed to Give-A-Christmas, c/o Herald-Standard, 8-18 E. Church St., Uniontown, PA 15401 or brought to the Herald-Standard office in Uniontown from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. A post office box previously used for the campaign has been closed. Sparkle cans also have been placed in numerous store locations in the Herald-Standard distribution area.
Today’s other donors include Haydentown Christian Church Sunday School, Haydentown; Lawrence Lemmon, Fairchance; Shirley Mitchell, Uniontown; Barbara Zorichak, Uniontown; Michelle Bentz, Grindstone; Farmington Bethel Church of the Brethren, Farmington; Farmington Bethel Church of the Brethren Women’s Fellowship, Farmington, Julie and Terry Coddington, in memory of their grandma Florence Otto and in memory of their daughter Emily Coddington, Uniontown; Marie Shwallon, Brownsville; anonymous, Grindstone; Mildred Bair, in memory of their son Rick Bair, parents John and Maude Bair and August and Mildred Hruska, Carmichaels; Donna Sholtis, Uniontown; John and Sharon Peccon, in memory of family members, Star Junction; the personal ministry of the Rev. Louis and Sister Gwendolyn O. Ridgley, in memory of the late Frieda R. Murray, Sandra V. Rapano, Earl E. Hughes and Katherine “Kassie” DeWalt, Uniontown.