Dad hoping for help with holidays

Father of two has new job after business drop during pandemic

“It was hard to even pay the rent, I was struggling with jobs, trying to get employment, just trying to pay for daycare for the kids, so I could go do stuff and make money.” — Neil

COVID-19 has made the last two years difficult for Neil, but things have turned around lately.

“Due to the pandemic, it's been quite rough for us. I'm just getting back to work, I've been working for about a month now. Things are starting to pick up a little bit,” he said.

“It was hard to even pay the rent, I was struggling with jobs, trying to get employment, just trying to pay for daycare for the kids, so I could go do stuff and make money.”

A father with sons who are 10 and 6, Neil — whose name has been changed to protect his identity — has recently taken up a job at a local hospital, after his main gig of working at local events was decimated by the pandemic.

“If an event takes place, then I'll have good business. If it doesn't take place, then it's poor business. When nobody was doing events, it was just terrible … sometimes, I would only make like $30 in a week,” he said.

“It was tough. Big time. I'm like, ‘What am I gonna do?' So Manna on Main, I joined that program, and that was a lifesaver.”

Operation Holiday partner Manna on Main Street helped Neil “get back on my feet and get a job,” by teaching kitchen skills that he uses in that new job.

“I know it front and back now. I'm pretty good in the kitchen now, and my job's loving me now. Without those skills, I wouldn't be half the man I am today,” he said.

Those job skills learned from Manna have helped not only Neil, but also his sons: they had been big fans of football and basketball before, but now one has his eye set elsewhere.

“They're proud to see me going out and working. My son's like ‘Dad, I want to start cooking too,'” he said.

He's hoping for a little help for the holidays from Operation Holiday, and what would he say to anyone looking to donate?

“We greatly appreciate anything that anyone's willing to donate. We need it,” he said.

Now in its 31st year, Operation Holiday has provided a brighter holiday season to thousands of families with children. More than $70,000 in donations from readers last year allowed the program to provide food and gifts for more than 200 children in need and give additional donations in January to 10 area food pantries in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.

The mission of Operation Holiday is to ensure that children in local communities have food to eat and gifts to open, no matter how poor or difficult their family situation may be.

This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 17 agencies in the tri-county area. Agencies have referred 135 families with 358 children.

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 the staff of MediaNews Group.

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.

Additional 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.

Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency.

Operation Holiday is funded solely by readers' contributions. All contributions are tax-deductible. 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.