The United Way of Bucks County and NewtownPANow.com are teaming up to help make the holiday season a little brighter for teenagers.
NewtownPANow.com is once again throwing their support behind the local United Way’s Holiday Gift Card Drive, which serves Bucks County teenagers whose families are in need.
The Holiday Gift Card Drive provides gift cards for teens who would otherwise receive nothing for the holiday season. This year, the Holiday Gift Card Drive will be serving at least 810 teens with the support of local residents, organizations and businesses.
“We focus on low-income teenagers who are struggling to have their everyday needs met,” said Danielle Bush, director of community and volunteer engagement at the United Way of Bucks County. “These are the children who would most likely be forgotten for the holidays.”
Low-income families often turn to generous local toy drives, but those giving efforts usually don’t account for teenagers.
“That’s where this gift card drive comes through,” Bush said.
The Holiday Gift Card Drive accepts gift cards of all denominations, starting at $5, now through Friday, December 15. All donations go to local teens and older kids who are experiencing a true need this holiday season.
For the Holiday Gift Card Drive, Bush said that gift cards for businesses that teens enjoying shopping at or grabbing a bite at are best. She suggested places like Target, Walmart, other clothing stores or specialty shops like Starbucks and Barnes & Noble.
In 2015, the program served 455 teens and grew to 683 teens last year. For this holiday season, the United Way of Bucks County has 810 teens on their list, Bush said.
This year, donations can be made as a gift in someone else’s honor or memory. Bush said helping local teens will make an excellent gift.
“You can make a donation to the Holiday Gift Card Drive in their honor, and we will acknowledge your gift with a card and a story about a kid who got help,” Bush said.
Receiving a gift card can make a teen’s holiday season, Bush stated, recalling many positive responses.
“For older kids who are not expecting to receive any gifts, a gift card means so much. They are so grateful that our community cares about them. It’s a meaningful and empowering experience for older kids to get a little something for themselves rather than be left out,” Bush said.
NewtownPANow.com is doubling down on their support of the program this year and will offer marketing support for the Holiday Gift Card Drive. Staffer Amanda Burg has lent her design experience to update the program’s logo for 2017.
“Our team is so thrilled to once again help out with the Holiday Gift Card Drive,” NewtownPANow.com Publisher/Editor Tom Sofield said.
“We’ve seen how amazing our readers and advertisers have been in the past with donating to the Holiday Gift Card Drive, and I hope we can grow that support this year,” he added.
There are three ways for members of the community to help with this project: Bring gift cards to United Way of Bucks County at 413 Hood Blvd., Fairless Hills, PA, 19030; mail in a check to the same address with “Gift Card Drive” on the memo line; Visit www.uwbucks.org/giftcarddrive and donate online. The website includes an option to make your gift in honor or memory of someone.
Any questions can be directed to Danielle Bush at danielleb@uwbucks.org or call 215-949-1660, ext 112.
Families looking for help through the Holiday Gift Card Drive can call 215-949-1660, ext. 105 for our Gift Card Drive Hotline.
