With her two daughters, Susan (her name was changed to protect her privacy) anticipates a “magical” Christmas, thanks in part to her health care provider and Operation Holiday.
“We are going to make it about family, friends and traditions,” Susan said during a recent phone interview.
Susan is thankful that her daughter Denise, who is afflicted with cerebral palsy, obtains physical therapy treatments once or twice per week, which helps Denise with her strength and balance.
Mom is pleased that the health provider has several specialists, dentists, therapists and doctors under one roof.
“I’m very thankful that she can get he care she needs at no charge,” Susan said about her daughter. “They are good doctors, very personable and even involve me as a parent.
Mom is involved in the therapy and doctors talk through each step and describe what they are working on.
“They even show me exercises to work on at home,” Susan said.
With “outrageous” and “skyrocketing” prices, Susan is still able to obtain the essentials, but sometimes the kids have to do without the extras.
“When at the store, we don’t buy new pajamas when we already have enough,” the mother of two daughters said. “We can’t buy things we don’t need.
“For right now, we just get the things we need.”
History
Operation Holiday was started in 1991 at The Mercury in Pottstown to help families going through tough times provide something for their children during the holidays. The mission of the program is to make sure there is food on the table and gifts under the tree when Christmas morning comes.
Now in its 34th year, the program has served thousands of families throughout Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties, expanding its reach in recent years to include communities served by readers of the Reading Eagle, The Times Herald, The Reporter, and Daily Local News.
Nearly $90,000 in donations last year provided food and gifts for 419 children and 184 families, plus cash donations to food pantries in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.
This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 17 agencies in the tri-county area. Agencies have referred 189 families with 366 children for gifts and food.
There is no overhead with Operation Holiday and all funds stay local. Funds are collected and audited in a nonprofit foundation account managed by staff of MediaNews Group newspapers who volunteer their time.
Gift cards to area grocery stores are provided to each family for food, so that they can purchase the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry. Weis Markets is a partner with Operation Holiday and has assisted with food purchases and gift cards.
Gift cards for every child in the program 16 years of age or younger are purchased through Boscov’s and distributed in partnership with the referring agencies so that families can purchase gifts of their choice.
Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency. Operation Holiday is funded solely by reader contributions. All contributions are tax deductible.
How to donate
Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit https://tcnetwork.org/ and click on the link for Operation Holiday.
Contributions also can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to PO Box 1181, Pottstown PA 19464; The Reporter, 34 Susquehanna Ave., Suite 100, Lansdale PA 19446; Operation Holiday, 1440 Lacrosse Ave., Reading, PA 19607.
The names of all contributors are published in the participating newspapers as donations are received. Please note whether a contribution should be designated as anonymous or given in tribute or in memory of someone.
