12/13/21 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / US Marine Cpl. Morgan Sproul (left) and Lance Cpl. Paulino Cuevas of 1st and 2nd Platoon Truck Company, Ebensburg, wraps a gift for a child at the Toys for Tots station at the Logan Valley Mall on Monday afternoon.

As Christmas approaches, local holiday relief organizations near the end of their campaigns, and while many report success, there are still opportunities for local residents to give.

Salvation Army Altoona Captain Ashley Fulmer said she is grateful to the community for their support of this year’s Angel Tree Program, an annual effort that provides toys for infants up to 12 years old.

“We have been doubly blessed this year by the generosity of our community”, said Fulmer.

Needs have been met for the Angel Tree program, but Fulmer said the organization’s specific need now is to contribute to the Red Kettle campaign.

On Tuesday, the Salvation Army Altoona raised approximately $ 47,000 of its goal of $ 110,000. With less than two weeks left in the campaign, Fulmer asked for help from the community to reach the goal.

“The Red Kettle Campaign still has time to reach its goal, and funds remain local to help our community with a variety of programs.” said Fulmer. “If the funds are not raised, we will have to review our budget for the cuts.”

The Salvation Army will be hosting a big red kettle collection event on Saturday across the Altoona region. According to Stephanie Rex, director of marketing and public relations for the Western Pennsylvania Division of the Salvation Army, “Super Saturday” includes church groups from Walmart, Sam’s Club, Boscov’s, Hobby Lobby and Logan Valley. Mall.

The Altoona Fire Department is expected to assist in the efforts by “canning” for donations at each location. Rex said that last year “Super Saturday” raised nearly $ 17,000 and the organization hopes to reach $ 20,000 this year.

Kettles and ringers are available in the community from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Donors can still find red kettles during these times at Walmart and Sam’s Club, or donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Salvation Army office, 1813 Sixth Ave., Altoona.

Toys for Tots is a huge success

Children in the area benefit from the generosity of the community through the Toys for Tots campaign at Ebensburg Marines Reserve Center. With the toy distribution underway at the Logan Valley Mall, Sgt. Toys for Tots deputy coordinator Matthew Pizarro said the campaign was a success for the 2021 fundraising season.

“The Toys for Tots collection has gone well for everyone given the circumstances everyone is dealing with COVID-19. We have enough to cover all the candidates currently registered ”, said Pizarre.

The Marines will be at the Logan Valley Mall near Entrance C and Macy’s from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Wednesday), Friday and Saturday to distribute the toys only to those who have already registered.

Sheetz for the Kidz continues the tradition

Sheetz is in the middle of its December fundraiser for Sheetz for the Kidz, an annual employee-led holiday gift program for children who live near Sheetz stores. The nearly 30-year tradition continued during the pandemic, with this year’s gift distribution taking place over the weekend, according to Brittany Funcheon, Sheetz for Executive Director of Kidz.

Funcheon said employees bought and delivered toys, clothing and other essentials to more than 10,000 children in six states this month, with 200 drive-thru distributions.

Customers can continue to help children by donating to Sheetz Records, purchasing a Sheetz branded bottle for Kidz Water, or online through the Sheetz app. Sheetz Reward Cardholders can donate MySheetz Rewardz points to the cause. The final totals for the December fundraiser will be announced in January, Funcheon said.

Father Christmas also for seniors

Big “children” also enjoy the spirit of Christmas, leading to the house instead of “Be a senior’s Santa Claus” program.

The program, in its 18th year at the Blair and Cambria County office in Duncansville, aims to remember and support seniors who may be neglected, isolated or alone during the holiday season, according to a press release.

Velissa Peterson, human relations manager at the local Home Rather office, said the program is a great community project and a way to give back by making older residents smile.

Peterson said the program has 172 seniors in Blair and Cambria counties, including those in nursing homes and long-term living facilities.

Some of the older people may not have family members and would not receive gifts during the holidays without the program, she said.

“We certainly hope this brings a little smile, gives them something to unwrap and get a little bit excited about the holiday season,” said Peterson. “It can be a sad time for a lot of older people.”

Peterson said deliveries have started and will continue until next week, but there are still labels on the trees in local stores and online for senior recipients.

Lists for area seniors are available online at https://www.beasantatoasenior.com/loc/336#virtual. Those interested in making a donation can make the purchase on Amazon and the gifts will be shipped directly to Home instead for distribution, Peterson said. Gift givers can also pick up a tag, purchase items, and return the tag and items to the Home Place office.

Labels are available from Home Place, 1923 Plank Road, Duncansville; Thompsons Pharmacy, 600 E. Chestnut Ave., Altoona; and The Dream Restaurant, 1500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg.

“It’s a great way to give back” Peterson said, noting that it is donation season. “And I like to think of these guys as some of our big kids who can be forgotten. It’s just a good time to think about them too.

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