Family Faces Holiday Challenges as Local Program Offers Support

A mother of eleven is navigating the complexities of providing for her family as the holiday season approaches. Georgia, who has raised her children largely on her own since her husband passed away from cancer in 2013, is currently focused on making ends meet while ensuring that her family enjoys the festivities that come with Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Georgia, who lives in Colmar, Pennsylvania, has worked diligently to improve her family’s circumstances. “I worked my way from welfare to buying my own home, and not being on welfare anymore,” she shared. With most of her children now grown, she is raising one of her grandchildren and managing a busy household that includes family members scattered across several nearby towns. “We just do the best we can. Everybody’s working as much as they can, and we just try to help each other out,” she explained.

Education has played a significant role in Georgia’s journey. She graduated from Montgomery County Community College in 2020 with an arts degree, where she also gained valuable experience in the music industry. “I helped produce songs and did raps in a couple of songs, and they played it on the screen at the graduation,” Georgia recalled. Her involvement with the college not only benefited her but is now impacting her daughter, who is pursuing a music career using the recording studio equipment that was donated during Georgia’s time at the school.

As the holidays draw near, Georgia faces financial challenges typical of large families. “Sometimes a bill will go a couple months late, so we can get Christmas presents,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to supporting her family. “I don’t even have a tree yet…but I have not bought one present, because the money is tight right now.”

In the past, Georgia has relied on local resources like the Mattie Dixon Food Cupboard to help feed her family. Following the recent cuts to SNAP benefits, she found herself in a position where she had to prioritize food over bills. “I stopped paying a few of my bills so I could help them with food,” she said. Fortunately, with food assistance restored, her children were able to stock up for Thanksgiving.

Georgia’s household has expanded for the holidays, with around 20 to 25 family members gathering for Thanksgiving and additional grandchildren joining for Christmas. Despite financial strains, she cherishes these moments, stating, “Through the highs, the lows, the fights, the arguments, you have good things, you have bad things; it’s all life. And the holidays are just wonderful.”

To assist families like Georgia’s, Operation Holiday has been providing support since 1991. Based in Pottstown, the program aims to ensure children in need receive gifts and families enjoy festive meals during the holidays. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the initiative, which has expanded its reach to serve thousands of families in Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties.

In 2022, Operation Holiday raised nearly $85,000, helping to provide gift cards to 366 children and grocery gift cards to 189 families. This year, the program has partnered with 21 agencies and referred 199 families with 403 children for assistance. The program operates with no overhead costs, ensuring that all funds remain local and directly benefit families in need.

Gift cards for grocery stores are distributed to each family, allowing them to purchase essential items for holiday meals. Weis Markets has been a partner, assisting with food purchases and gift cards. Families with children aged 16 and younger receive gift cards from Boscov’s to select their own gifts, fostering a sense of choice during the holiday season.

Operation Holiday relies entirely on contributions from the community, making every donation tax-deductible. Donations can be made online through a secure portal or mailed directly to the program’s offices. The names of contributors are published in local newspapers as a way to acknowledge their generosity.

While challenges persist, programs like Operation Holiday play a crucial role in supporting families like Georgia’s, ensuring they can celebrate the season together, even in difficult times.