Desiree was shopping at the Dollar General when she found hope.
Peering into the depths of a shelf, she noticed a single, small ornament, with the word “hope” scrawled on it.
Although Desiree isn’t sure if she’ll be able to afford a tree this year, she bought the ornament because what it meant to her was worth far more than its $1 price tag.
“It’s not a lot of things you can ask for under the tree, you know, when you’ve been through a lot,” said Desiree, whose name has been changed to protect her privacy. “Material things, they help. But (what I need) is hope.”
Two years ago, Desiree’s daughter, Amanda, suffered abuse at the hands of a trusted relative.
After that relative tried four times to kidnap Amanda, Desiree moved in with her sister to escape the area where the relative lives.
Desiree was previously a teacher before the attempted abduction but left that job, and her former apartment, out of concern for her daughter’s safety.
The emotional fallout of the abuse took a toll on Desiree and her marriage to Amanda’s father.
“I couldn’t move back to the area where her dad’s job is because it’s close enough to (the abusive relative),” Desiree said.
Desiree said she still has a hard time leaving her daughter alone at the bus stop.
“It’s been really hard to not see her on and off the bus and know she’s coming back safe,” Desiree said.
She was able to save up enough money working at Kmart and Walmart to buy a mobile home for her, Amanda and their therapy pug, James.
She said Amanda, 14, is doing well now and is active in her school’s junior ROTC program and a local church youth group.
This Christmas season has been especially hard for Desiree and Amanda because Desiree’s mother died five months ago.
“My mom was really close to Amanda,” Desiree said. “Emotionally I’ve been up and down, but I’m trying to stay more up than down.”
She said she’s looking forward to the little things, like Christmas lights, which always cheer her up when she sees them.
Families like Desiree’s can sleep a little easier this Christmas Eve, thanks to the generosity of Operation Holiday donors.
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
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