Give A Christmas program starts Sunday, Nov. 17. Our previous owners, the Calkins family, picked up the initiative 62 years ago at the Bucks County Courier Times, combining with the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club, which initiated the program.
The Calkins family then brought it to the Burlington County Times 52 years ago and to The Intelligencer 32 years ago. Two years ago, our generous community surpassed the $10 million mark in total funds raised overall and Courier Times readers last year brought in $119,000-plus.
Our ownership has changed, but our commitment to this endeavor has not. All proceeds go back into the distribution funds and overhead costs are absorbed by the Courier Times, The Intelligencer, and the Burlington County Times and their charitable partners.
The Bucks County Courier Times partners with the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club to collect and distribute monetary donations. The money collected is distributed primarily as $25 vouchers for children in struggling families in Lower Bucks County. Readers historically have supported the Give A Christmas fund with heartfelt generosity, but expenses have been greater than income for the past few years. That means our charitable partners received eligible requests for assistance from families in need that exceeded the money the newspapers collected. This year, we set a goal of $120,000 to help those in need.
Bucks County residents with children are primarily those who are considered for assistance, and the Kiwanis Club works with its partners and local schools to distribute vouchers to local retailers and supermarkets throughout the community. Readers can find information to submit requests and give donations at our website www.couriertimes.com/giveachristmas or find information daily in our Community pages.
Last year, thousands of Bucks County children benefited from the program, mostly from modest to large donations from readers. Every dollar counts and is important so no contribution is too small. We honor those who donate by recognizing them in our publications, publishing almost-daily lists of donors. Over and over, when needs come up, residents show their generosity through their wallets.
Sometimes, Give A Christmas proceeds provide a gift for kids who might not get one. Other times, it helps pay the utility or food bills. And it’s not just about Christmas. It helps anyone in need, regardless of their faith or politics.
We live in a great area and are fortunate to be where we are. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opportunities or resources and often people get in a bad way through no fault of their own.
So as you’re considering your holiday charity giving this season, we ask you to donate to our Give A Christmas fund. Every little bit helps — we’ve received everything from $1 to thousands of dollars in donations and each benefits someone. Have a great holiday season, and I hope the gift of giving is in your budget.
Shane Fitzgerald is Atlantic Sub-Regional Executive Editor for GateHouse Media, including the Bucks County Courier Times and 20 other publications in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia and Maryland. Contact him at sfitzgerald@couriertimes.com.