Operation Holiday to Serve Nearly 400 Children

Now in its 35th year, Operation Holiday is back again to ensure families going through tough times have something for their children during the holidays. 

Since its inception in 1991, the program has served thousands of families throughout Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties. The program began as an outreach project of The Mercury in Pottstown and has now expanded in recent years to include communities served by readers of the Reading Eagle, The Times Herald, The Reporter, and the Daily Local News.

Through donations from readers of these newspapers, Operation Holiday provides gift cards to area grocery stores for food so that families can purchase items for a holiday dinner and pantry staples. Weis Markets is a partner with Operation Holiday and has assisted with food purchases and gift cards.

Gift cards for every child in the program, ages 16 or younger, are purchased through Boscov's. The gift cards are distributed in partnership with the referring agencies so that families can buy gifts of their choice.

Last year, Operation Holiday distributed approximately $85,000 in gifts and grocery cards. It has reached hundreds of families and children across the tri-county area, with 199 referred families this year (403 children).

According to The Reading Eagle, the program is funded entirely by reader contributions. All donations are tax-deductible and audited by a nonprofit foundation.

Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit the organization's website and click on the link for Operation Holiday.

Contributions also can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to P.O. Box 1181, Pottstown, PA 19464; The Reporter, 34 Susquehanna Ave., Suite 100, Lansdale, PA 19446; or Operation Holiday, 1440 Lacrosse Ave., Reading, PA 19607.