I had the good fortune Wednesday to attend the Bucks County Community College’s holiday gathering. I say good fortune because we actually could get together and actually, physically see good people I hadn’t seen anywhere but a Zoom call in about two years.
We all were there to support the good work done at BCCC and celebrate the important role the school plays in our community.
It was nice to be around people for a good cause, rallying together and putting aside whatever differences we may have on vaccines, masks, gun rights, politics, etc. It’s been a tough couple of years, with far too much anger and vitriol surrounding us and not nearly enough understanding, compassion and empathy for others.
It was good for the soul.
As I walked to the car after the event, I thought about what I was going to write to encourage readers to contribute again to our Give A Christmas program. GAC certainly qualifies as a good-for-the-soul opportunity. Many in our community still are recovering from the flooding, tornadoes, Hurricane Ida remnants, and of course, pandemic effects. We can’t forget those who still are battling back.
The Bucks County Courier Times partners with the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club to collect and distribute monetary donations. The money collected is given primarily as $35 vouchers for children in struggling families in Lower Bucks County.
Give A Christmas launched Sunday, Nov. 7. Our previous owners, the Calkins family, started the initiative 64 years ago at the Bucks County Courier Times. They brought it to the Burlington County Times 54 years ago and to The Intelligencer 34 years ago. Our generous community has donated well in excess of $10 million over the years, $4.7 million by Courier readers.
And those readers last year brought in a record $218,379 in the extraordinary year that was 2020.
Readers historically have supported Give A Christmas with substantial generosity, but expenses have been greater than income for the past few years. That means there is more need out there than even in the most generous of years can cover. This year, we set a goal of $132,000 — more in line with a typical fundraising year — to help those in need.
And with the pandemic remaining in full swing, the need is heightened this year.
We’re only about one-third of the way to our goal so far and substantially off from 2020. So your help is absolutely needed again this year.
Bucks County residents with children are primarily those who receive 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 and find information daily in our print product’s news pages.
Last year, hundreds 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’ve received everything from $1 to thousands of dollars in donations and each benefits someone.
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 faith or politics.
We live in a wonderful area and are fortunate. What is unfortunate is that not everyone has the same opportunities or resources and often people get in a bad spot through no fault of their own. That is especially true this year.
I hope the gift of giving, even during these trying times, is in your heart and wallets. So many are in need, especially at this time and in this place. You can, and will, make a difference. The positive energy can only enrich this holiday season.
Shane Fitzgerald is Executive Editor of the Bucks County Courier Times and the State Editor for the USA Today Network’s 14 Pennsylvania media outlets. Contact him at sfitzgerald@couriertimes.com.
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