EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2019 - NEW APPLICATION PROCESS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHRISTMAS 2019 EXTENDED UNTIL OCTOBER 22, 2019
Christmas of HOPE is an off-shoot of the charity the HOPE Fund of Penns Valley. The HOPE Fund was started because we saw a great need in our community to help residents faced with medical or personal disasters.
At Christmas time, we wanted to be able to help the families assisted by the HOPE Fund even more by providing Christmas for their children. Because the HOPE Fund is funded completely through donations, and because those donations are designated for families in need facing dire health situations or other tragedies, there needed to be a very definite separation between the HOPE Fund and Christmas of HOPE. Therefore, Christmas of HOPE is recognized as its own entity.
Christmas of HOPE has a new process in place as of October 1, 2019 and is no longer taking referrals from guidance counselors at our local schools. We are, however, accepting applications this year from those in need of assistance in providing Christmas to their children and will be happy to help you! If you are struggling financially and need our assistance, please click here for instructions. Businesses and community members have generously stepped forward to sponsor children by donating money, gifts, and their time to provide Christmas for local children. In 2018, we served over 90 children of limited means through Christmas of HOPE.
This program has grown tremendously since its inception. This is our ninth year now and it is only been possible because of the support of the entire community.
We are about providing for the needs of the children sponsored as well as some of the "wants". What we ask of our sponsors is very simple, but immensely rewarding. We give you information on a child. This will include the age, sex, sizes, needs and interest of the child. The form will not tell you a name, but for confidentiality sake, it will have a code. You and your family, team or co-workers will have time to shop for items on your list. If you volunteer to sponsor a child, the information you need for shopping will be given to you immediately along with other information and directions on what to do next.
Each child we serve also receives a new pillow case filled with miscellaneous supplies such as pencils, crayons, markers, school supplies, shampoo, body wash, tooth paste and tooth brush as well as a Faith based Christmas present.
All children that we serve are residents of the Penns Valley Area School District. We are so blessed to be part of this community and to have so many generous people, businesses and churches help support this cause. If you would like to consider sponsoring a child next year for Christmas or would like more information, you can email hopefundchristmas@gmail.com. If you would like to make a monetary donation, checks can be made out to Christmas of HOPE and mailed to The HOPE Fund of Penns Valley, PO Box 427, Centre Hall, PA 16828.
Thank you for helping to brighten Christmas for our Penns Valley youth!