Merry Christmas Fund raises $27G for Delco’s neediest

Goal: $50,000 Given today: $3,665 Given to date: $27,149 CHESTER >> As the donation updates came in Friday afternoon, the Salvation Army/Daily Times Merry Christmas Fund crested over the halfway point of its $50,000 goal. “I always want to thank those who gave. That’s number one on the list. I want to thank them for caring about the less fortunate. People give from the heart,” said Maj. Ervin McKoy of the Salvation Army Chester Corps.

The Salvation Army will continue to accept donations to the fund through Dec. 31 to meet the needs of families coming to the Chester Corps through the Christmas season. The Times will provide a final update of donations on New Year’s Day.

The money collected through the Merry Christmas Fund provided for the donation of toys and food baskets to over 200 families on Dec. 18. The anticipated number of 300 families for the season is likely to be met as the corps continues to receive phone calls and walk-ins from families in need.

“You never know who comes to our doors and what their need is,” said McKoy as he a recounted a recent visit from a state trooper to drop off a senior citizen who had been evicted from her home. “I said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll take care of her,’” as arrangements were made to give the woman temporary shelter until her family was able to travel from Virginia to pick her up.

The Merry Christmas Fund and the Salvation Army’s most visible fundraiser, the Kettle Drive, allow the Chester Corps to stretch its budget year-round to run its homeless shelter and other efforts including a food pantry, housing assistance, sports fellowships, social services, worship services, prayer meetings and support to senior citizens.

“We open the food pantry twice a month for families to come in, and for emergency situations,” said McKoy. “The Merry Christmas Fund helps us all through the year to provide for the homeless shelter, homeless veterans program and more. It even filters down to the afterschool program and sports program for children in the community.” Today’s donations are: