It has not been an easy year for Stephen Albanese and his wife, Eileen, but they still count themselves among the more fortunate families weathering the pandemic storm.
That’s why he felt more compelled than ever before to make their annual contribution to Give A Christmas. The Langhorne resident hopes it’s an example others who have managed to avoid the worst of 2020 can follow.
“There were a lot of families struggling way before the virus struck,” Albanese said. “I feel bad for those businesses that were forced to close and may not re-open, but I keep thinking about those families that had it worse pre-COVID and are hurting even moreso now.”
Albanese managed to continue his work as an investigator for a local law firm during the coronavirus pandemic, but Eileen lost her job with a Lower Makefield nursing home after 10 years with the company. There was some belt tightening at their Langhorne home, and they tapped into their Social Security to keep making ends meet. Eileen has since been brought on as a part-time file clerk at her husband’s firm.
“We didn’t hurt too badly, and I was able to keep working, thank God,” Albanese said.
The soft landing gave the Albaneses the comfort they needed to write a $100 check to the Give A Christmas fund. It’s their fifth year making a contribution to the campaign, one they see as vital to families in Lower Bucks County.
The Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club and the Bucks County Courier Times partner each holiday season to raise money that will be distributed as $25 vouchers to needy families in Lower Bucks County. The vouchers can be redeemed at partnering grocery and department stores. Families can request vouchers by completing applications and mailing them to Kiwanis Club of Levittown-Bristol Foundation Inc., PO Box 841 in Levittown.
“I found out about them years before, and it always touched me how they help children during the holidays,” Albanese said. “The things Kiwanis has done really puts a smile on my face.”
Albanese’s included with his donation a letter addressed to his fellow Bucks County residents, urging them to do what they can to help.
“Give A Christmas is the perfect time to show my support to all the struggling families out there,” Albanese writes, “and I hope that other people can find it in their hearts to do the same.”
The urge to give has already reverberated throughout the region before Albanese’s call to action, judging by the donation numbers. As of Thursday, the Give A Christmas fund has raised more than $43,000, according to Mary Berman, lead organizer for the Kiwanis Club’s effort. That’s about double the pace from the same time last year, she said.
“Monday was one of our best days, yet,” Berman said. “We collected $7,500 of donations, including three $1,000 donations. They are mostly coming from the Lower Bucks area, with a few from New Jersey and one from California who donates every year.”
Berman is keeping a special watch out for those bigger checks, knowing they will help add to the funds pledged by local philanthropists Gene and Marlene Epstein. The Gene and Marla Humanitarian Foundation will match donations of $500 or more made by Dec. 10 to the Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer funds, which run separate campaigns. The foundation will contribute up to $50,000 to the efforts.
Albanese’s $100 check won’t be matched for the campaign, but he’s certain any contribution will have an impact.
“That $100 can buy four or five gifts,” Albanese said. “Knowing I can put a smile on one or two faces out there, that’s a good feeling.”
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