Don’t call her Santa Claus. She is not even Mrs. Claus. Instead, maybe you could refer to her as Grandmother Claus.
But however you put her Christmas spirit into words, remember that the situation her family is in makes it a struggle for Peggy at this time of year.
The 65-year-old North Coventry woman has for some time helped look after and raise her 32-year-old daughter’s three children, ages 10, 5 and 3. What would already be a large task for someone of her age is made more challenging because the middle child is wheelchair bound, suffering from birth defects.
“The three kids are here with me, and its tough,” said Peggy in a recent interview. Because her daughter has breast cancer, she finds it impossible to work and so the family has to rely partly on assistance from organizations like the North Coventry Food Pantry, one of the organizations that work with Operation Holiday to help deserving families at this time of year.
The joy families feel at Christmas is for Peggy filled with anxiety as she tries to cope with the realization that the presents might not be so bountiful under the tree.
“I try to make the best of it,” she said. “They are my grandchildren, after all. It’s hard. It’s difficult. But God gave us strength to do what needs to be done.”
She anticipates that the family will have a “traditional” Christmas Day, with a tree up and lights, even though the day might not be as “merry and bright” as in other times.
“We’ll still have it,” she said.
Operation Holiday
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 33rd 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.
More than $91,000 in donations last year provided food and gifts for 451 children and 199 families, plus cash donations to food pantries in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.
This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 19 agencies in the tri-county area. Agencies have referred 165 families with 419 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 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, 307 Derstine Ave., 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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