Needy Families Get Help This Christmas
Through the Jane. B. Weilenbeck Needy Family Fund, 53 township families had presents and food for the holiday.
Aleta Kee feels blessed this holiday season.
Supporting four kids, while she and her husband Mark Sr. are out of work, has been a daunting task. Without the help of donations made through the Jane B. Weilenbeck Needy Family Fund, Christmas at the Kee household would have been nonexistent.
"It's a struggle for us," Aleta Kee said. "I'm overjoyed. There's nothing else to say, but I'm overjoyed."
Kee stopped by New Albany Elementary School last week to pick up Christmas presents for her children, and food to make a holiday dinner. Through the family fund, gifts and food were donated by students and staff throughout the district to help the township's needy families this Christmas.
"My kids understand not having," Mark Kee Sr. said. "They appreciate what they get a lot more."
The Kees' kids are 16, 13, 12 and 5.
Throughout the year, the Jane B. Weilenbeck fund collects donations to help not only for Christmas, but also during Thanksgiving and in the spring. Kerry DiSimone, a counselor at New Albany, coordinates the donations there.
"I see the kids who don't have much," DiSimone said. "It's great just knowing they are going to have a nice holiday."
Students, staff members, administrators and other community organizations bought items on families' wish lists. Students in each school donated food such as tomato sauce, macaroni and cheese, cereal and mashed potatoes.
Fifty-three families qualified for the program this year and picked up their holiday items at New Albany and Rush last week.
Each family received huge bags of Christmas gifts, shopping bags of food, hams, pies and cookies. Families could even browse through donated items such as gloves, hats and other stocking stuffers.
John Dirr, of Cinnaminson, a retired teacher, is in his second year of helping with the drive. His daughter teaches at New Albany.
"A lot goes into this," Dirr said. "It's really great."
DiSimone said the Jane B. Weilenbeck Needy Family Fund also helps with family's utilities bills and class trips. But, the Christmas donation is the year's biggest.
"I feel it's so important for these kids to feel joy on Christmas," she said.
Other community organizations that contributed to the Christmas fund include St. Charles Borromeo rectory, Barclay Insurance in Riverton, Asbury United Methodist Church, Boy Scout Troop #70, the Cinnaminson Elementary Home and School Association, and other individuals.
To send a donation, contact Jean M. Becker, Treasurer, c/o Cinnaminson Township Public Schools, P.O. Box 224, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077.
Rachel Sanders
5:05 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Hi my name is Rachel! Iam looking for help this Christmas! I have 6 kids! I just moved! October 8 Iam still paying off My security deposit! Iam disabled. Me and my son! He Is 13! And I just had a baby! She was born with suger! I just found out I have it to! Can someone please help us????!! I can be reached at 8563793581! R sandersrachel62@ yahoo. Com r rachelsanders55@Gmail. Com! Thank everyone so much! And god bless you! From my family to yours! I will keep everyone in my prayer!
marilyn
7:35 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Hi my name is Marilyn! Me and my family just relocated here. Im looking for help for thr holidays this year.I have a two yr old daughter, and my husband is laid off for seasonal work. You can contact me at mlcurrie77@yahoo.com or at 6093286063. This is a harc time and we are struggling. Thank you.
JOANNIE
4:31 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
HI IM JOANNIE LOOKING FOR HELP THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR ..IM 33 SEEKING HELP FOR MY FAMILY OF 7....IM UNEMPLOYED AND MY HUSBAND IS THE ONLY 1 WORKING ..IM GOING THROUGH MANY STRUGGLES JUST LIKE MANY FAMILYS ..SO IF YOU CAN SEE IT IN YOUR HEARTS TO HELP US WITH ANYTHING WE WUD BE SO GREATFUL..THE AGES OF MY KIDS ARE 16 BOY ..13 BOY ..8 BOY ...6 GIRL..3 MONTH BOY ......I HAVE A WISHLIST AT WALMART # 86162712263........AND I ALSO HAVE PAYPAL ...POSEJOANNIE@YAHOO.COM...IF YOU WANA DONATE ANYTHING ...THANK YOU ALL FOR READING MY WISH
teressa clayton
4:03 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
Hello I am a mother of three that is disabled and lives on a fixed income and will need help this holiday season please help my family. My email teressaxoxo@gmail.com thank you
frannie mccall
4:38 pm on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Hello my name is frannie, I am a single mother of 3 awesome children. I'm desperatly seeking help so that they can have a christmas. They lost their dad last year in an automobile accident and lost our home a month ago due to forclosure. Im disabled with c.m.t ( muscular dystrophy ) fortunately a friend offered us a trailer in his backyard otherwise we would probably be in a shelter . My children have had a very rough year, however I have great hopes the next one will be better. My children are girl- 17 boy-12 boy-8 . Anything would be so greatly appreciated. I can be reached at 661-390-8984 or fmccall42@gmail.com.. thank you for taking the time to read this . Merry Christmas and god bless .
bonnie
1:53 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
I need help to get Christmas gift for my kids and granddaughter I don't have that most money to get them thing because my hubby lot his job if u can help me call ma at 7249772013 any thing will help me
bonnie
1:59 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Hi my name is bonnie I got 2 kids and a granddaughter I need help get them Christmas gift I don't have that most money to get them gift if u can help me with any thing call me at7249772013 can u please help me with any thing it will help out
kathrean burton
12:13 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Hi my name is kathrean I'm a mother of four I'm low income I work at McDonald I'm trying to pay bill and give my children a good Christmas and its hard my children are14,10,4,1 and I can't see there faces on Christmas and nothing's there please help my number is 313)354-3056 thank you an God bless
FbS
4:54 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
This truly breaks my heart. We would love to help each of you guys... Rachel- what do you mean your baby was born with sugar?
Dan Reynolds
8:57 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Frank "sugar" or "the sugar" is slang for diabetes.
Christine
4:19 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
I live in keansburg nj I need help with Christmas we lost everything we have two boys five and seven if anyone can help please call christine 7327695121 please
Barbara J
10:19 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I don't know if it will help but you can post your requests on NanaFinds.com
http://www.nanafinds.com/headline/new-jersey-families-need-your-help
crystal Thompson
5:58 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Hey I'm a mother of 4 little kids that will not have Christmas this year this is a cry for help if someone can help my family we will love that please my number 803 297 3813 my name is crystal thompson
Dave De Grilla
5:41 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
My name is Dave im a father of 4 and have 3 step children as well. Ages from 17to7months. My fiance stays home with are youngest while i work. Im the only one able to pay our bills and rent but i can not afford to get my kids anything for Christmas and that hurts me. I do my best to keep us happy but im not happy if my kids and fiance is not. I dont realy like to ask for help with anything because it hurts my pride,but i need help. I can be reached at Degrilla23@gmail.com or 8566892327. Thank you
Jennifer Jones
12:28 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012
It's December 23rd 2012. I have not ONE present for my 11 yr old son Jacob. I have been down with a nasty flu for the past two weeks. I just moved yesterday to a smaller house (downsizing) as the place I was renting was financially killing me. I lost my husband two years ago 05/28/10 via suicide and I have a montly income that is ridiculous. The move yesterday financially broke me! Christmas snuck on me and I am so upset I have nothing. I don't even know what I am cooking for Christmas dinner. I apparently missed all charitable help deadlines due to being down sick! Great! If anyone can help me, I would be so grateful and will eventually pay it forward.
Thank you for reading my story.
Jennay8675@gmail.com
Merry Christmas to all!