Reading an article on NewtownPANow.com’s sister site LevittownNow.com that there might be older kids and teens without a gift, even something small, to brighten their holiday season hurt her heart. And that’s because she knew the feeling all too well.
The Fairless Hills resident, who only wished to be identified as Barbara, acknowledged her donation to the United Way of Bucks County’s Holiday Gift Card Drive won’t be the nonprofit’s largest contribution, but it “made me feel some cheer” leading up to her favorite holiday, Christmas, she said.
“I came up without a mom. I lost her to cancer at 12 and my dad really wasn’t in the picture until much later in my life,” she said. “I know what it’s like to not get anything for Christmas.”
Barbara grew up in northern New York state and lived with several different family members after her mom’s death. She took it hard but had to keep pushing forward. She began work the same year she entered high school and used some of that money to help support her grandparents who took her in and her sister for a time.
Recalling her teen years, Barbara said there were not always gifts for Christmas or birthdays, but there was a lot of togetherness, something Barbara said she was blessed to have.
“Gifts aren’t the meaning for the season, but they mean a lot when you’re a kid and you heard all your classmates talk about what they found under the tree,” she said.
“I don’t want kids now to have to wake up to nothing.”
Barbara, who now works at a New Jersey hospital, said learning about the United Way of Bucks County’s Holiday Gift Card Drive and recalling her youth empowered her to make a gift, one that will provide gift cards for older kids and teens who have aged away from toys.
“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.”
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,” she said.
The program has been happening for four years and has seen growth in its list of older kids and teens in need each year. Some have lost parents to the opioid crisis, while other families are simply struggling to get by this season.
Generous donations from Barbara and other members of the community will, as of Thursday afternoon, help about 300 kids this year. However, the United Way of Bucks County still has a list of about 500 more older kids and teens who may not get anything this year.
The Holiday Gift Card Drive accepts gift cards of all denominations, starting at $5, now through Friday, December 15. Bush explained that a $30 donation is suggested and would provide a child with a $25 gift card to a retailer and a $5 gift card to an eatery.
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.
A new feature of the program this year allows donations to be made as a gift in someone’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,” she explained.
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.
