JOHNSTOWN —
For Jackie Crum and her two children, the Santa Fund is making the holiday a little brighter.
“This is fantastic. If it weren’t for programs like this, I wouldn’t be able to have a nice Christmas for my kids,” the Windber resident said.
Crum’s two children were among 1,300 youngsters from families facing financial hardship who will receive Christmas gifts thanks to generous donations to the program.
This is the fifth year The Tribune-Democrat’s Santa Fund has provided toys for area children 14 and younger.
Crum, a single mom, said it’s been a tough year for her and her kids, Jadyn, 4, and Johnathan, 2, and any extra help around the holidays is welcome.
“We just moved into a new house and I lost my job two years ago, so it’s hard,” Crum said.
Crum, a full-time student at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in the human services program, said she hopes to gain employment in social work once she finishes her classes.
Dozens of volunteers handed out presents Wednesday at the Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania office on Locust Street in downtown Johnstown.
“Every year we see an increase in need,” said Jessica Pulliam Petrunak, a volunteer with Community Action Partnership of Cambria County. “With the economy and cuts in social service programs people are having to use Christmas money to maybe pay a water bill.”
In its first year, the Santa Fund helped roughly 500 children. That number has tripled in five years.
“I’ve seen how this has grown over the years, but it’s worthwhile and has done so much good,” Pulliam Petrunak said. “People are so happy to be able to give something to their kids because for some of them this is the only gift they’ll receive.”
This year, nearly $30,000 was collected with $6,000 of that total coming from the Santa Fund Soccer Classic, which featured all-star players from local high schools.
In addition, Cuddles for Kids donated stuffed animals and toys to increase the number of gifts being distributed.
Most of the toys were purchased at a discount at Boscov’s department store in The Galleria mall in Richland Township.
Sarah Smick of Moxham was getting gifts for her two great-nephews, Brian, 8, and Joey, 9.
“This is my third year coming, and it’s a great thing here,” she said. “I’m unemployed, and if it wasn’t for this I couldn’t give them anything.”
She said it’s nice to see there are people out there who care enough to help others, especially in the holiday season.
“Christmas is about the birth of Christ, but the kids count, too, and they deserve a gift,” Smick said.
A key partner in the effort is Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, where the fund is managed.
Other agencies involved include Community Action Partnership of Cambria County, the Alternative Community Resource Program’s Family Center, AmeriCorps, United Way and Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.
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