'Tis the season for holiday cheer and spending time with family and friends as the countdown to Christmas is officially under way at The Valley Independent.
And once again, we will ring in the holidays with the Christmas Cheer Club — a way Mon Valley residents can brighten the lives of needy area families on Christmas morning.
And we need your help more than ever.
The club benefits the annual toy drive of the Mon Valley Citadel of The Salvation Army.
Lt. Joel Thwaite and his wife, Lt. Susan Thwaite, leaders of the Monessen-based Salvation Army unit, said the organization will serve more than 500 Mon Valley families this holiday season, and a large number of children are registered for the toy drive.
Last year, the Thwaites decided to expand the program, and the Salvation Army is now accepting donations for children and teenagers through age 16.
Susan Thwaite said many teenagers are overlooked on the holidays.
"Teens need to know someone loves and cares about them. We are adding them with faith that God will provide for these kids," she said.
She said some affordable ideas for teen gifts are bath and body products.
Last year, between the Treasures for Children tree drive and the Christmas Cheer Club sponsored by The Valley Independent, the Salvation Army provided gifts to more than 500 children through age 12.
The Thwaites said donations to the Christmas Cheer Club are crucial to toy drive success.
Through your donations, the Christmas Cheer Club supplies many of the toys and gifts those children will enjoy on Christmas morning.
"We're happy to once again play a leading role in the effort to help make the holiday season a little more merry for those who need some financial assistance," said Robert Burke, managing editor of The Valley Independent.
Keeping with tradition, those who contribute to the Christmas Cheer Club will have their photos published in The Valley Independent.
The club has been a holiday mainstay at The Valley Independent for more than 26 years and has helped brighten Christmas morning for thousands of children in our neighborhoods.
Joining the Christmas Cheer Club is easy.
Families or individuals are asked to purchase new gifts, each with a minimum value of $5, and bring them to The Valley Independent office at Eastgate 19 in Monessen.
Donors may leave their unwrapped gifts under our Christmas tree, sign the Cheer Club membership book and place their names on the tree.
Donations may be dropped off 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through Dec. 19. We will begin accepting donations Monday.
The gifts will be picked up by the Salvation Army and distributed in time for Christmas.
For information about the Salvation Army, or to donate directly, call (724) 684-4282.
