2023 has been a challenging year for Lauren and her two sons, but they’re on the right path now, thanks to Operation Holiday partner Manna on Main Street.
“It has been a little bit of a rough year. It’s just me and them — their father is currently locked up, so I’ve been doing this completely without any assistance,” she said.
“We’ve been struggling together, so I feel like once we get through this, we’re going to be a lot stronger.”
The woman’s two sons are in third and first grade, and both already have big plans.
“My oldest loves math. The last time we chatted, he either wanted to be a police officer, or a soccer player when he grows up. The younger one, he loves gym class, and recess, and just being able to be a little boy.”
Their father is not part of the family, because in Lauren’s words “he has chosen, repeatedly, actions that prove that he doesn’t want to be a part of this family. He doesn’t want to work for it. He just expects it to all go back to normal, and it’s not something you can just forgive, just like that.”
As the two were separating, Lauren — her name has been changed to protect her privacy — learned of Operation Holiday partner Manna on Main Street through the county’s Legal Aid program, and Manna was able to enroll her in their “Common Grounds” vocational training program.
“It’s an eight-week program, and full eight-hour days, so it was a lot. They get you ready to go into the food industry: they focus on the actual kitchen skills, but every afternoon is soft skills, like how to interview, and how to write a resume, and how to peacefully resolve conflicts in the workplace, and communication skills. It really is just looking at the whole person,” Lauren said.
What did she get from the program, besides the skills — and a job, starting soon, in a local school district?
“It was a sense of confidence in myself, and just knowing that you have a network of people that care, and support you. That really goes a long way. When you feel so isolated, through the single parenting by yourself, it was a godsend.”
“They each are very compassionate. They all want to make this world a better place, one person at a time.”
What would she tell someone considering donating to Operation Holiday?
“If you’re in a position to help, then please help. If you’re in a position that needs help, go and get it, so that we can all help each other, and build the network from the ground up,” Lauren said.
Operation Holiday was started in 1991 at The Mercury in Pottstown to help families like Lauren’s who are going through tough times to 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.
