Christmas always brings out the best in people, and this year was no different.
Family Services was able to help 43 families or 130 people with their Christmas cheers thanks to the generosity of local individuals.
An estimated $13,000 in toys, new clothing, household articles, gift cards and grocery cards was distributed to area families.
“This year was our best year yet,” explained Gunter Volders, Marketing and Communications Manager for Family Services. “We had two to four full-time staff persons tied up for two weeks to collect, sort and distribute all the gifts.”
All toys and gifts were donated by individuals, church and office groups.
“Many local businesses allow their employees to adopt a family for Christmas. Family Services screens the families and provides a wish list to the adoptee,” Volders said. “People involved told me they feel the real Christmas spirit when they shop for someone they don’t know but know needs help.”
Several of the families were featured on Forever Broadcasting’s radio station Hot100, which partners with local businesses as drop off sites for donated gifts.
Some groups who helped out were: EADS employees, Verizon-CWS office, Reliance Bank 12th Street Office, Advance America, Dollar General Juniata, Mardorf UM parishioners, secretarial staff of McIntyre, Dugas, Hartye & Shmitt, Family Dollar Duncansville, Southern Alleghenies Purchasing Management Association, IDA Accounting Department and Calvary UM fifth/sixth grade Sunday School class. More companies participated but preferred to stay anonymous.
“It is comforting to know that Christmas brings out the best in people,” Volders added.
