Mother of four grateful for assistance at holidays

As the season of hope and generosity approaches, Margaret, whose family struggles financially, is grateful for the assistance she receives from Pottstown area social service agencies and in return, she encourages her children to pay it forward.

“Even though I don’t have a lot to give, every time the guy is there with the bell ringing next to the Salvation Army sign, I always make sure the kids drop something in the bucket because I want to teach them to be giving of themselves and what we do have, so that other people, who might be even less fortunate, can have a little bit of help too,” Margaret said during a recent interview.

The mother of four children, Margaret, who works in the medical field, became the sole breadwinner for her family after her husband became permanently disabled several years ago and can no longer work. Margaret, of Pottstown, said her husband is under the care of several doctors and the family struggles financially at times, especially during the holidays.

“I have to do most of the wage earning for the family. It can be a little stressful but I don’t mind because I want to give the kids as good a Christmas as I can,” Margaret said. “Now that they’re older they’re able to help me somewhat.”

Over the years, Margaret has turned to local agencies for assistance, including the Salvation Army and the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, which sponsors a food pantry program to meet the individual needs of those who have disabilities or who are struggling due to special circumstances.

“It’s a real big help. We have four teenagers, and they eat a lot,” Margaret chuckled. “I am so thankful for that program that helps out in this community, as well as other local programs that come together, like the Salvation Army. I give them a lot of credit for what they do.”

Margaret, 37, said her children, like most teenagers, do yearn for things such as electronic games for Christmas.

“Unfortunately, I’m not always able to get those things for them. We do the best we can. I think that they do understand that,” said Margaret, who manages to keep the Christmas spirit alive in her home despite her struggles.

Margaret said the greatest gift is that her family is together for the holidays.

Margaret shared her story to inspire those who can to give to the children of our community at this most appropriate time, the holidays.

Now in its 29th year, Operation Holiday has provided a brighter holiday season to thousands of families with children throughout the region. Donations from readers last year allowed the program to provide food and gifts for 144 families with 442 children in need.

This year, 15 agencies in Montgomery County and northern Chester County have referred 107 families with 325 children. Stories of families interviewed by our reporters will appear in the newspaper and online between now and December 24.

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.

Food, which includes the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry, is ordered, bought, packed and distributed by employees and their family members as well as local high school and community volunteers.

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 in order to protect the integrity of the program.

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

Contributions can be mailed to The Mercury, Attn: Operation Holiday, PO Box 1181, Pottstown, PA 19464, or The Reporter, 307 Derstine Ave., Lansdale PA 19446. Make checks payable to “Operation Holiday.” 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.

Names and donations will be published in the newspaper as they are received. Please note if you want your donation to be listed as “Anonymous” for publication or if you would like it listed as “In memory of ...” or “In honor of ...” Donations that do not include a notation will be published with the name of the donor as written on the check.