Twenty-one years ago, Antonio traveled to America from Mexico for a better life.
During the last two decades, he’s created one in the heart of Chester County’s most diverse and vibrant communities, Kennett Square. Antonio has worked in the mushroom industry since migrating here as a teenager.
Antonio met the love of his life, and future mother of his three children, while working in the mushroom industry. Annabelle had already been working at the farm when he arrived in America in 2003. Annabelle is also from Mexico.
Antonio and Annabelle have built a life together in Kennett Square, working hard and never giving up. Today they have two boys and one baby girl.
Antonio works in the mushroom industry while Annabelle works at a restaurant in the evenings. The couple, both 30, work every day with limited exceptions. They rent their home in Kennett Square. With three children, despite their hard work, they have little left to spare for gifts and other extras.
Antonio said the greatest challenge he faces is work. He spends his days laboring tirelessly in the mushroom industry to provide a home for his family. There are no vacations.
Antonio said he wants to teach his children the importance of working hard. His family inspired him and he works for them and to provide them with a home.
“He wants to teach his kids that working is the only way to eat, to provide food and to have a home,” Alexander said while translating for his father. For Antonio, family is everything.
“Christmas, for him, is a time when the family realizes a moment of being together,” Alexander said while translating for his father, “in celebration.”
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 readers of the 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 nonprofit 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 also can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to PO Box 1181, Pottstown PA 19464; The Reporter, 34 Susquehanna Ave., Suite 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