— As the nomination forms for the Santa Fund pour into our office, I’m reminded of the ongoing needs that exist here in our region – often hidden right in plain sight.

One such nomination this past week was accompanied by a letter.

While asking for help for a single mother she knows, the writer was also praising the woman for her efforts – and provided an inspiring example of why programs such as the Santa Fund really matter.

The sender, who did not give her name, wrote: “I have lived in the Ebensburg community for many years and have come across many types of people, some great and some not so great. However, within the past few years I have come across a remarkable lady. ...”

She goes on to describe a determined woman with two children, 10 and 13, who works for a local company while attending an area university full time. She is a dean’s list student.

“She works hard all day, takes the kids where they need to go, cooks, cleans, then sits down to hours of homework – just to get up and do it again the next day ... I never met anyone quite like her before.”

The mother seems to make ends meet, but with little to spare.

“I really do not think I would be able to sleep at night knowing that I did not at least try to help her. Thank you so much for listening. ...”

We’ll do more than listen.

That family will be included in the Santa Fund, along with hundreds of others.

Each year, through the generosity of the people of the Johnstown region, we provide Christmas gifts to more than 500 area youngsters.

Most of these children have greater needs than presents under a tree – if they can afford to have a tree.

But it is our hope that we can brighten one day for them – and help them see the giving spirit that defines the Christmas season.

You can nominate a child for the Santa Fund by clipping one of the ads that have been appearing in the newspaper, or getting one on our website – at www.tribdem.com/santafund – and sending it to us.

Likewise, you can make a monetary donation to the fund by using one of the in-paper coupons or getting one on our website, and sending it to the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, which manages the fund.

We appreciate the efforts of the Community Foundation.



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Another key player in the Santa Fund is Boscov’s Department Store at The  Galleria in Richland Township.

For the third straight year, Boscov’s will be our exclusive gift purchase point. Store workers do a great job of matching gifts with kids by age and gender, and the store gives us a discount – which makes every donated dollar go farther.

This year, Boscov’s is helping the Santa Fund in two more ways:

* You can make a monetary donation at a Boscov’s register when you are shopping.

* You can purchase a gift at Boscov’s and drop it in a Santa Fund bin, so that it can go to a local child.

Deettra Bailey, who handles marketing for the Boscov’s stores in Johnstown and Altoona, is helping coordinate the company’s contributions to the program.

“Boscov’s Department Store is excited to again be involved with the Santa Fund,” she said, “to help provide children in Cambria and Somerset counties with a great Christmas.”

Other organizations playing critical roles in Santa Fund 2010 include: Alternative Community Resource Program and its Family Center, AmeriCorps, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, Penn’s Woods Council of the Boy Scouts and United Way of the Laurel Highlands.

Thanks to all.



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Special thanks also to the local radio stations that have been helping get the word out.

The woman from Ebensburg I mentioned above heard about the program through a radio interview I did.

Thanks to these people and their stations:

* General Manager Terry Deitz and News Director Rick Shepard at Forever Broadcasting stations 96 Key, Rocky 99, Hot 92, WNTJ (AM 1490) and WNTW (AM 990).

* Boss Frog and Daisy on the Morning Splash at Froggy 95, another Forever station.

* Brian Vuletich and Bo Moore at WCRO (AM 1230).



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We’re running advertisements listing those who have made donations to the Santa Fund as a way of thanking those individuals for their generosity.

If you see the name of someone you know, please tell that person that you noticed and that you believe she or he has done a good thing.

That’s certainly how I feel.

Here are two key Santa Fund deadlines to remember:

Nov. 19: Conclusion of nominations of children.

Dec. 2: Conclusion of monetary donations to the fund.

During these final weeks, the Santa Fund still needs your help. Thanks in advance.

And – perhaps a little bit early – Merry Christmas.



Chip Minemyer is the editor of The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 532-5091.