It’s been quite the year for Mary as she takes care of five children.
The single-income household in Montgomery County is sustained by her husband who works with machinery, but Mary acknowledged that it hasn’t been easy.
“It’s been tight. We’ve been making it,” Mary said. Despite receiving some food stamps, she stressed she’s had to “scrimp and save” in order to make ends meet.
Mary has five children ranging in age from 17 years to 3 months. The elder are her step-children, 17-year-old Michael and 13-year-old Alissa. Matthew, 4, Susie, 18 months, and Jacob, 3 months, followed. Their names have been changed to protect their identities.
“It’s been crazy. The last baby was a surprise,” she said.
Her 18-month-old daughter was born prematurely at 1 pound, 12 ounces. Raising five children, Mary laughed as she said they have “too much energy.”
“It’s not for the older moms,” she said.
Mary has faced trials over the past year with her own mother’s health issues. The prognosis isn’t good, she said, as Mary tries to “spend (more) time with her.”
As for financials, the family bought a car earlier this year, but there’s been “problems” and it’s “sitting in the driveway.”
Looking to the holiday season, Mary acknowledged the difficult decisions many families have to make.
“A lot of families are having to choose between bills or gifts,” Mary said.
But still she hopes to help provide a happy holiday for her family.
“(It’s my) son’s first Christmas. I’m excited about it,” she said.
When asked about the importance of Operation Holiday’s campaign, Mary said “I think it would help families out.”
Through Operation Holiday, 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 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.
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; or to 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.
