Several Harrisburg area nonprofits believe that every child, no matter their family’s financial situation, deserves something special under the Christmas tree.
This season, many local families will receive a little extra help to make the holiday special, and there are lots of ways for your family to get involved.
“We know that there will be over 5,000 kids [participating] again this year,” said Toni Mark, director of development for the Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region, referring to their Christmas Angel Tree program.
Through sponsors, the Angel Tree program provides basic needs to children, like a new coat, pajamas or socks, but it also provides the fun stuff like Legos, dolls or Squishmallows.
“We talk to [parents] about their kids. We say, ‘What size is your kid? What color do they like? What princess is their favorite? What superhero are they into?’ And we create a customized profile,” Mark said.
That profile is then sent to a donor who has chosen a child to support. The donor shops for the child, then brings the items back to the Salvation Army for pick up.
New Hope Ministries, at its nine locations, spreads holiday cheer a bit differently through its Christmas Blessing Express. A large room set up with all the toys, clothing and houseware donations welcomes clients who are aided by “personal shoppers” with the organization.
“They get to shop as if they were at Walmart and get whatever they need off the shelves,” said Sue Fornicola, program director.
Both Salvation Army and New Hope verify each family’s needs. At Salvation Army, applying is a multi-step process. New Hope mostly assists guests who they already serve.
In New Cumberland, the Children’s Christmas Party, a 60-year tradition, brings the holiday magic to youth. Social workers from multiple school districts make referrals of around 120 students who participate in the festivities.
“We usually have a magician or clown and a DJ that plays the whole time,” said Judy Yeatts, the event organizer. “We have face-painting, and they go visit Santa. There’s also an area where they can sign Christmas cards that we send to the veterans. We’ve had kids come that told Santa, the only thing they wanted for Christmas was something for their brothers and sisters.”
Santa also provides the kids with lots of goodies. Every child gets a new coat, hat and gloves. Other items include sleeping bags, books, games, fleece blankets, book bags, socks and $50 grocery gift cards.
“At the end of the day, when we’re giving them their gifts, when they leave, a lot of them will say, ‘That’s not for me. That’s not mine. Are you sure this is for me?’” Yeatts said.
Wish List Assist
Parents, consider including your children in the giving process this year. Older children are welcome to volunteer at New Hope Ministries or folks can become part of the iconic bellringing for the Salvation Army. Maybe make a new tradition of shopping as a family for gifts to donate to a local organization.
Nonprofit officials said that the joy, gratitude and relief that parents and kids experience when receiving gifts motivate them. Seeing the difference your family can make will likely inspire you as well.
“[Families] know that this is just one less thing that they have to be stressed over,” Fornicola said. “Whether it is a car that broke down, not sure what’s going on with their housing. They may be sick. Maybe they lost their job, maybe a loved one left.”
Because families have practical needs as well, New Hope Ministries provides household items. When parents are stressed about basic needs, children feel the stress too.
“It just makes kids feel like they’re included,” Mark said. “They already see the impact of poverty, in their shoes, in their clothes, in their school supplies, in their technology, in their cramped homes. This is one place we don’t have to feel this.”
Gift recipients typically need to sign up for programs long before December. However, New Hope tries to include those who may have missed the sign-up or distribution.
“We definitely make sure we don’t turn anyone away,” Fornicola said. “We try to have a few things left here that we can take care of them.”
The Salvation Army also remembers seniors with blessing bags, which include comfy socks, word search puzzles, pens, lotion and ChapStick.
Donors, sponsors and volunteers make all this Christmas happiness possible. New Hope Ministries has a large wish list on its website. Folks can purchase toys to drop off at the Salvation Army or provide items from an Amazon Wish List.
The need for Christmastime help is so great that a large majority of program applicants typically don’t even receive assistance each year. With that in mind, program organizers encourage those who are considering giving to do so in whatever way they can.
“We have lots that don’t get sponsored, like half—which means that we need a ton of extra toys, clothes and coats,” Mark said.
Ushering in Christmas for those in need takes a lot of resources and a whole community. Every person can participate in large and small ways. That support provides a lifeline to folks during “the most wonderful time of the year.”
For more information on New Hope Ministries’ Christmas Blessing Express, visit www.nhm-pa.org.
Find out more about The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region’s Christmas donation opportunities by visiting https://pa.salvationarmy.org/harrisburg-pa/.
To learn how to volunteer or donate to the Children’s Christmas Party, visit their Facebook page.
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