When Samantha was recently hired to work at a local department store, it was a really big deal for her.
The 24-year-old woman hadn’t worked in about 2 1/2 years, since before the middle of her three children was born. Since she’s a single mother, that has meant money has been pretty tight.
Her new gig, Samantha thought, would help fix that.
But it turns out it’s not quite that simple. Because she has three kids — ages 7, 2 and 10 months — being able to actually go to work has been a challenge.
Samantha doesn’t have a steady place for her children to stay while she’s working. That means she has to find a babysitter to watch them, which is often difficult.
“It’s been kind of hard,” said Samantha, whose name has been changed to protect her family’s privacy.
Samantha would like to get her kids into a local day care, but that’s expensive. She qualifies for subsidies, but the process of getting them is slow.
And, even if they eventually do come through, finding a place that can accommodate all three children will be another huge challenge.
“It’s harder these days because there so few day cares in the area,” she said. “There are some with space for one but not the others. Having to send them to different day cares doesn’t seem feasible to me.”
So, Samantha has found herself having every so often to call off work because she can’t find care for her kids. And that means smaller paychecks.
“Things are tight, they’re very tight,” she said.
That’s particularly concerning for Samantha as the holidays quickly approach. She said she want’s to be able to give her kids a good Christmas, but isn’t sure she’ll be able to do it.
“It’s all about creating memories,” she said. “I don’t want my kids to miss out just because I can’t afford things.”
Samantha said she could desperately use a bit of help. And that’s exactly why Operation Holiday exists.
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 nonprofit 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 P.O. 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