Give a Christmas program begins sending e-gifts to needy families
Needy Burlington County families with children have begun receiving e-gift cards from donations sent to the annual Give a Christmas fund.
The Burlington County Times and the nonprofit New Jersey 211, a 24-hour hotline referral service for social services that provide public assistance, co-sponsor the program.
Of 560 Burlington County family applications received by NJ 211, nearly 500 have been deemed eligible based on income and the size of the family.
"We already started notifying the 492 families of their Amazon e-gift cards and we are still sending them out as the donations come in. With the caring and support of the donors, I know we can bring a little Christmas joy to these children," said Rae Duncan, quality assurance supervisor for NJ 211.
Rae also said the 492 eligible family applications represent a 19 percent increase in eligible applicants since last year. Families receive up to four $50 gift cards for children under 18 years of age and a parent with fewer than four children also receives $50.
In 2021, a total of $58,000 was distributed among the eligible applicants, but this year's total giving is trailing that figure. As of Friday, $47,378 had been donated by the public.
However, donations are still being accepted and any received after Dec. 25 will be applied to next year's fund. Donation amounts have ranged from a few dollars to up to $25,000 from one family.
Donors have also included community groups, such as the Polish American Citizens Club of Delran, United Methodist Women of Columbus and United Methodist Women of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Willingboro. Donors may give in memory of a loved one or they may give anonymously.
Give a Christmas saved the holiday for the family of Rebecca Crete of Browns Mills last year and will save it again this year.
"Last year we almost didn't have a Christmas and there would have been none without Give a Christmas, which I used to buy necessary clothing for my boys" said Crete, a diner waitress and mother of four, including two under 18. Crete said she is not making as much money at work as she did before the pandemic and now battling inflation hikes.
She also applied this year and said she already received the Amazon.com gift cards and spent them on clothing and Christmas stocking stuffers.
For more information about Give a Christmas, including how to apply and how to donate, visit burlingtoncountytimes.com/GiveaChristmas.
For more information about NJ 211 services, visit https://www.nj211.org/
Carol Comegno loves telling stories about South Jersey life, history and military veterans for the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. If you have a story to share, call her at 609-533-0306 or email ccomegno@gannettnj.com.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Give a Christmas sends donations to needy families for their children
