Time running out to apply for Give A Christmas help

Today is the deadline for needy Burlington County families to apply for the annual Give A Christmas program of gift cards provided for the holiday through the generosity of public donors.

Each year the Burlington County Times and New Jersey 211, a 24-hour, nonprofit information and referral service connecting people in need with community resources that provide life necessities, co-sponsor the program to aid families in need during the holidays.And this year the number of applications has reached 457, according to NJ 221 figures. Donations by the public help ensure that children of families in need will receive holiday gifts that parents may be unable to afford otherwise.

While donations can be made at any time through the end of year via the Burlington County Times, a Gannett-owned newspaper in South Jersey, today is the deadline for initial applications to NJ 211 for eligible families to receive $50 Amazon e-gift cards for children under 17.

NJ 211 chief operating officer Kevin Donahue said applicants then until Dec. 12 to submit the requested documentation to support their applications.

He said gift cards will be distributed beginning in mid-December and expressed hope that enough donations will be received to help all families deemed eligible.

Meanwhile, more than $33,000 in donations were contributed recently, bringing the current total to $40,761.00. The new  donations included $25,000 — the largest single donation ever received — from an individual who chose to remain anonymous. His family had given Give A Christmas donations of $10,000 and $20,000 in prior years.

There are still nearly three weeks left to donate and make a difference in the lives of struggling families in an economy that this year has brought greater inflation and higher cost increases for most everything.

A single mom and part-time Mount Holly waitress, Cristi Abdelrhman said she bought much-needed clothing for her two boys and two girls, ages 5 to 12, with the $200 she was gifted last year.

"They didn't have to wear only hand-me-downs. It put smiles on their faces and that is exactly what I wanted."

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Last year $59,600 in gift cards was distributed among 330 eligible family applicants. Since the program began in 1968 more than $3 million in donations has been collected. Those donations have come from Burlington and surrounding counties and from other readers out of state and from as far away as Florida.

Burlington County residents who seek assistance may phone the NJ 211 helpline by dialing 211. They also may text GAC to 898211 to check eligibility and file an online application. Eligibility is based on income and recipients may include, but are not limited to, parents with sick children, single family households, people struggling with addiction and people who are unemployed.

Donahue said a family can receive a maximum of four gift cards, but if there are less than four children, parents can also receive one gift card between them.

To donate or for other information about applying for Give A Christmas visit burlingtoncountytimes.com/GiveaChristmas

Carol Comegno loves telling stories about South Jersey life, history and military veterans for the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. If you have a story to share, call her at 609-533-0306 or email  ccomegno@gannettnj.com.

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They also may phone the NJ211 helpline.