Fiona was caught off guard recently when her husband announced he was leaving her and her three children, ages 9 months to 12 years old, disrupting what she had hoped would be a magical holiday season for her children.
“He just picked up and said he was leaving and that’s it,” said Fiona, 41, adding that currently she is receiving no financial support from her husband. “It just makes me have to work harder to get what they (her children) need. I’m now working two full-time jobs to make ends meet.”
Fiona said her two oldest children, 10 and 12, naturally have wish lists for Santa, filled with the latest expensive tech gadgets, toys and bicycles.
“They gave me a list and I told them, ‘Well you know, Santa isn’t rich,’” Fiona recalled the difficult conversation.
Despite the difficult challenge facing her, Fiona managed to utter a laugh as she recalled the innocence and naivety of children who responded with the comment, “No, Mom, the elves make it.”
“The elves aren’t making that much this year, remember Covid? I even bring Covid up,” Fiona recalled trying to explain the hardship to her children without revealing the complexities of the adult world.
Still, her heart breaks.
“I used to be able to give them everything, anything they want. This year they won’t get much, maybe a couple of outfits,” Fiona said.
Fiona said her children were already shattered by the November death of the family dog and she just wants to bring some happiness to their lives as Christmas approaches.
The message Fiona tries to impart to her children is, “Just so we have each other, that’s all we count on. You don’t need anything under the tree as long as you have each other.”
Fiona said, hopefully, her strength will get her through.
“I’m trying to remain strong, but we will see on Christmas,” Fiona said.
Fiona shared her story to inspire those who can give to the children of our community at this most appropriate time, the holidays.
Operation Holiday helps families like Fiona’s every year.
HISTORY
Operation Holiday was started in 1991 at The Mercury in Pottstown to help families going through tough times provide something for their children during the holidays. The mission of the program is to make sure there is food on the table and gifts under the tree when Christmas morning comes.
Now in its 34th year, the program has served thousands of families throughout Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties, expanding its reach in recent years to include communities served by Reading Eagle, The Times Herald, The Reporter, and Daily Local News.
Nearly $90,000 in donations last year provided food and gifts for 419 children and 184 families, plus cash donations to food pantries in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.
This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 17 agencies in the tri-county area. Agencies have referred 189 families with 366 children for gifts and food.
There is no overhead with Operation Holiday and all funds stay local. Funds are collected and audited in a non-profit foundation account managed by staff of MediaNews Group newspapers who volunteer their time.
Gift cards to area grocery stores are provided to each family for food, so that they can purchase the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry. Weis Markets is a partner with Operation Holiday and has assisted with food purchases and gift cards.
Gift cards for every child in the program 16 years of age or younger are purchased through Boscov’s and distributed in partnership with the referring agencies so that families can purchase gifts of their choice.
Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency.
Operation Holiday is funded solely by reader contributions. All contributions are tax-deductible.
HOW TO DONATE
Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit https://tcnetwork.org/ and click on the link for Operation Holiday.
Contributions can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to PO Box 1181, Pottstown PA 19464; The Reporter, 34 Susquehanna Ave., Ste. 100, Lansdale PA 19446; Operation Holiday, 1440 Lacrosse Ave., Reading, PA 19607.
The names of all contributors are published in the participating newspapers as donations are received. Please note whether a contribution should be designated as anonymous or given in tribute or in memory of someone.
Source: Berkshire mont
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