Need for holiday help is ‘massive’

Donations are still sought for many

By Erienne Greene / Journal Staff Writer

MARTINSBURG - As of Sunday, there are still 1,048 Berkeley County children who have not been served yet by any of the nonprofit holiday assistance programs, local officials announced during a conference Tuesday at the Berkeley County Department of Health and Human Resources.

Officials from DHHR, the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, the Warm the Children Initiative, Christmas Cash for Kids and Toys for Tots met to discuss the remaining need for both families and children in the area, and also to coordinate efforts to ensure that everyone who applied for assistance will receive some help this holiday season.

The local groups are participating in the Eastern Panhandle Christmas Clearinghouse program, a resource for agencies, churches and other groups that provide food, clothing and toys to those in need. Darcia Collis, DHHR family support supervisor, explained she is filling in as "site supervisor" this week for Kathy Bradley, community services manager at DHHR.

Collis said extra steps are being taken by the organizations in Christmas Clearinghouse to meet the increased need this year.

She also said that while DHHR officials fully expected a greater need for assistance this season because of the economy, no one was aware of just how much more would be required.

"The need is massive," she said. "There are a lot of children in this community that still really need Christmas this year."

Paul Turner, regional coordinator of the area Toys for Tots program, emphasized that while the toy donations are continuing to arrive steadily, there is still a need for those toys specifically geared for girls ages 3 to 8 as well as toys/gifts for 15- and 16-year-olds.

"I was a little worried when I saw that we didn't have much for the girls in that age range, but luckily we had some donations come in for them last week - but we would still really like more," he said.

Founded in 2006, the Christmas Cash for Kids campaign is sponsored by City National Bank and Prettyman Broadcasting in collaboration with the United Way and DHHR. It was formed with the intention of helping families in need who were no longer able to apply for assistance with other organizations such as the Salvation Army and Community Ministries, as those groups' deadlines had passed.

Last year, Christmas Cash for Kids served more than 350 children. This year, campaign officials hope to raise $15,000 - about $2,000 more than the total raised in 2008.

"Right now, we're close to having raised $13,000 again," said Jan Callen, executive director of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle. "We're around where we were last year, so that's not bad." Starting this week, volunteer shoppers will be allotted different amounts of spending money to purchase items for the various age groups of recipients who will be helped by Christmas Cash for Kids.

"It was amazing to see the amount of things we were able to buy for everyone last year with what we had," said Trina Bartlett, director of community impact of the United Way.

Although children are generally the primary target in holiday assistance programs, DHHR officials also said that a number of local senior citizens have inquired about help for things such as food, pots and pans, and other basic necessities.

Collis said anyone willing to help out with this cause can drop off unwrapped items such as nonperishable food items, gift cards and more for seniors at DHHR during business hours, with a note specifying that the donated items are for seniors. DHHR is located at 433 Mid-Atlantic Parkway.

Volunteers also are needed later this week at the DHHR office to make phone calls notifying those applicants being helped that their toys/items are in and ready for pickup.

"We could also use volunteers here for when we separate and organize all of the bags of toys and for loading and unloading," Collis said. "We start shopping in the next couple of days, so we're going to be even more busy. It's going to be pretty tight this year, but people have really kind hearts and have helped out so much."

A list of toy donation spots and more details about Toys for Tots are available by visiting the Eastern Panhandle Toys for Tots program's Web site at www.wvtoysfortots.com or by calling (304) 267-7338.

Those who would like to donate to Christmas Cash for Kids can call the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle at (304) 263-0603.

Donations are still being accepted for Warm the Children Initiative, sponsored by The Journal, which provides winter clothing to children in need. More information about the initiative and how to help is available by calling The Journal at (304) 263-8931. Those who would like to help with Warm the Children this year can send a check, made out to Warm the Children, to: The Journal, P.O. Box 807, Martinsburg, WV 25402.

- Staff writer Erienne Greene can be reached at (304) 263-8931, ext. 183, or egreene@journal-news.net

Fact Box

* New, unwrapped presents for girls ages 3 to 8 as well as 15- and 16-year-olds are needed by the local Toys for Tots program. More information is available at www.wvtoysfortots.com or by calling (304) 267-7338.

* New, unwrapped items such as nonperishable food or gift cards to help area seniors in need can be dropped off at the Berkeley County Department of Health and Human Resources, 433 Mid-Atlantic Parkway, Martinsburg, during regular business hours.

* Those who would like to donate to Christmas Cash for Kids can call the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle at (304) 263-0603.

* Donations also are still being accepted for Warm the Children Initiative, sponsored by The Journal, which provides winter clothing to children in need. More information about the initiative and how to help is available by calling The Journal at (304) 263-8931. Those who would like to help with Warm the Children this year can send a check, made out to Warm the Children, to: The Journal, P.O. Box 807, Martinsburg, WV 25402.