It only takes a little to bring a big smile to a child’s face on Christmas morning.
Such is the mission of the annual Give A Christmas campaign, a joint effort by the Burlington County Times and Willingboro Rotary Club which collects and distributes monetary donations to assist struggling local families at the holidays.
Since its inception in 1968, more than $3 million has been collected for Burlington County families in need. This year’s fund goal is $70,000.
“I am most excited for the Willingboro Rotary Club to once again join with the Burlington County Times to connect the generous people of Burlington County with those county residents who are less fortunate,” said Paul Barbin, member of the Willingboro Rotary.
Each year, struggling families write letters to Give A Christmas to describe their hardship and ask for assistance. Many letters come from parents of sick children, single parents, those struggling to find employment, or families facing eviction.
The holidays were a little brighter for nearly 2,000 children in need in 2017 thanks to the generosity of the Burlington County community. Donors contributed $69,138.
“Give A Christmas is near and dear to my heart,” said Shane Fitzgerald, executive editor of the Burlington County Times and Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer in Pennsylvania. “It’s remarkable that the Calkins’ family-owned newspapers raised $10 million for our communities over the years, and I’m proud to keep the tradition going with our new ownership. Good people helped my family when I was a kid in a similar fashion, and I’m forever grateful for that. I know it means a lot to the families who are touched by our community’s generosity.”
“The good people of Burlington County will come through like they always do. With their help, we can put smiles on the faces of many children this Christmas,” said Tom Dickson, Willingboro Rotary member.
Burlington County residents with children age 17 and younger are eligible to be considered for assistance. Requests must be made by parents or legal guardians and include the names and ages of their children.
TO GET HELP: Donations and letters of assistance should be sent to Give A Christmas, c/o Burlington County Times, 116 Burrs Road, Suite B, Westampton, NJ 08060.
Parents, custodial grandparents and other legal guardians from Burlington County requesting help may write letters to the above address. Letters sent by other relatives, family friends, children or those who are incarcerated will not be considered. Letters must include the number and ages of children 17 and younger in the household and an explanation of the hardship. Requests without the names and ages of children will not be considered. Letters should include the family’s full name and complete return address on the outside of the envelope. Please print or type appeals, and address the envelope neatly.
Letters requesting help should be postmarked by Dec. 11. Emails, calls and hand-delivered requests for assistance will not be accepted. Only one request letter per family, please. Because of the high volume of requests, fund organizers cannot promise assistance for everyone who seeks it.
TO GIVE HELP: All cash or check donations reach needy families. Please include the donation form found in print in the daily newspaper or available for download at burlingtoncountytimes.com/GiveaChristmas. Send this with your donation to: Give A Christmas, c/o Burlington County Times, 116 Burrs Road, Suite B, Westampton, NJ 08060. Make checks payable to Give A Christmas. Hand-delivered donations will not be accepted.
QUESTIONS: Contact Audrey Harvin, managing editor, at aharvin@thebct.com.