Severe floods, multiple tornadoes, and a persevering pandemic. 2021 has tested the strength and resilience of Bucks County residents with many, seemingly ruthless, blows.
And yet, one thing remains intact through it all — the manner in which neighbors continue to look out for and lift one another up, despite one unforgiving hardship after another.
Another test? Maybe. But a test this community has yet to fail.
It’s this dedication to compassion and selflessness that has the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club, in partnership with the Bucks County Courier Times, hopeful as they head into the 64th year of their annual Give A Christmas campaign.
The difficulties of these past two years have left a lot of families still reeling, said Mary Berman, Kiwanis Club board member, past president and one of the main organizers of the campaign.
“What we’re going to see is a lot of situational things where families still are trying to recover from last year. I don’t think we can say everything is back to normal. There’s a lot of recovery that has to take place,” said Berman.
“The sheer volume of horrific news events recently comes on top of everyday needs, even in times less chaotic that we are in now,” said Bucks County Courier Times Executive Editor Shane Fitzgerald. “Even in the best of times, many people through no fault of their own come across hardship. It’s heartening to live in a community that traditionally generously lends a helping hand, whatever the circumstances.”
In total, contributors have given more than $4.7 million to the Give a Christmas fund over the years to help their neighbors in need.
The faithful generosity of the community, and record donations in 2020, led the Kiwanis Club to increase the annual fund goal from $120,000 to $132,000 this 2021 holiday season. The money collected will primarily go towards the purchase and distribution of $35 vouchers to local struggling families. These vouchers can be redeemed at the following participating supermarkets and stores:
- Acme Market, 6800 New Falls Rd. in Levittown
- Acme Market, 2301 Bristol Rd. in Bensalem
- Acme Market, 800 Second Street Pk. in Richboro
- Barnes and Noble, Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem
- Burlington Coat Factory, 1563 Franklin Mills Cir. In Philadelphia
- Burlington Coat Factory, 2375 E. Lincoln Hwy. in Langhorne
- Redner’s Market, 2506 Knights Rd. in Bensalem
- Redner’s Market, 1361 Lincoln Hwy. in Langhorne
- Redner’s Market, Richland Mall in Quakertown
- Selecto Supermarket, 320 Pond St. in Bristol
In 2020, the campaign hit a new record, bringing in $218,379 from more than 1,100 donors, including a $50,000 match from the Gene and Marlene Epstein Foundation. This allowed for the distribution of 2,289 vouchers to children, families and senior citizens throughout lower Bucks County.
Making sure the right families received help last year came with an added complication. The program depends heavily on schools identifying children needing assistance, and with a number of students in virtual learning during the pandemic, it was not an easy task. But the schools worked off the free and reduced lunch program list and their close relationships with the families to pull together a list of names.
In addition to school referrals, voucher recipients also are identified through letters sent directly to Kiwanis. Members of the club sit together, reading letters from individuals asking for help for themselves or someone they know who desperately needs a hand.
“I have read many of letters and have sat and cried through the letters,” Berman said, as she recalled one story of a single mother, dying of cancer and worried for the children she would soon leave behind.
“Sometimes you’re sitting there and it’s like, oh my God, how can this happen to a family and happen to children, you know?” she said.
Despite the heartbreak, Berman takes comfort in the outpouring of love and support from those who continue to contribute to Give A Christmas each year.
“It’s really neat when you see neighbor helping neighbor,” Berman noted. “I’ve often heard of families, instead of exchanging gifts, will send us money as a group or as a family.”
“Our readers for more than 60 years now have been so generous at the holidays, but last year they completely outdid themselves when the need was so great,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m humbled that Give A Christmas has provided so much for our community. I’m grateful to the Calkins family for all their years of support and continued support. And I’m humbled by all of our generous donors who give a little or give a lot. So many families make it an annual tradition in their homes to give to this drive. That’s truly amazing and truly appreciated.”
— Michele Haddon, Special to the Bucks County Courier Times