For 53 years, the Burlington County Times has helped families in need during the holidays.
As the second pandemic holiday season approaches, the Give A Christmas program is back to help families celebrate.
The Times and its partner NJ 211 — a nonprofit that connects people with community resources that provide living necessities — will begin accepting applications for assistance and financial donations starting Sunday. Individuals can request assistance from Oct. 17 to Nov. 21 and, while there are no deadlines for donations, any received after Christmas will be added to the 2022 fund.
The funds are dispersed through gift cards, which will be distributed to families shortly after the Nov. 21 deadline.
Burlington County residents who require assistance can text GAC to 898211 to check their eligibility. Eligibility is based on income and recipients may include, but are not limited to, parents with sick children, single family households, people struggling with addiction and people who are unemployed.
“This year we anticipate the need to be even greater given the economic impact of the pandemic,” said Melissa Acree, executive director of NJ 211.
Donations will go toward $50 Walmart gift cards. A family can receive one gift card per child, with a maximum of four gift cards. If a family has less than four children, parents can also receive one gift card between them.
In fact, 2020’s Give A Christmas was even more successful than the year before.
Last year, 1,192 Walmart gift cards totaling $59,600 were distributed to 332 Burlington County families, said Harvin.
“Most were for children,” said Acree. “Nothing makes us happier than to know that these children were smiling on Christmas morning as they opened their presents.
In its second year as the official partner organization, NJ 211 made requesting assistance easier by using its simple texting platform to direct eligible residents to an online application.
“Our goal was to make it convenient for individuals and families in need to request and receive assistance purchasing Christmas gifts,” said Acree.
This year will be no different, as residents can again text the nonprofit to apply for the Give A Christmas program.
Residents around the state can also text their ZIP code any time to the same number — 898211 — and receive information about housing, food, transportation and other resources in their area. NJ 211 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The organization also runs an online resource database, which can be found on the NJ 211 website.
Since January, NJ 211 has been contacted more than 880,000 times for help with food, housing, utility assistance, healthcare and more, said Acree.
Anyone interested in donating can do so at www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/giveachristmas.
“Families were able to enjoy the holidays and that’s what this program is all about,” said Harvin. “The need is still there, and I hope those that can help will provide assistance this year to those less fortunate.”
For questions about the Give A Christmas program, contact Executive Editor Audrey Harvin at aharvin@gannett.com.
Aedy Miller covers education and the economy for the Burlington County Times, Courier-Post, and The Daily Journal. They are a multimedia journalist from Central Jersey and a recent graduate of the George Washington University.
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