A mother of four works part time, and her husband recently has become disabled.The woman nervously approached the Steel Valley Salvation Army, never having sought help before.
She wrote the following:
"I did not want to come into your office, but I did not see how I had any other choice.
"From the moment I entered your front door, I was met with love and compassion. Thank you so much. What you did really meant a lot."
This year, Operation Santa Claus will provide Christmas dinners to 6,700 families and stockings to 8,400 children.
Recipients are from a four-county area served by 25 Salvation Army units.
Each grocery bag contains fixings for a complete holiday meal, including a gift certificate valued at $10 for a meat item of the family's choice.
The menu also includes scalloped potatoes, stuffing, green beans, whole-kernel corn, fruit-flavored gelatin, fruit cocktail, applesauce, blueberry muffins, snack crackers, holiday cookies and hot cocoa.
Each stocking contains an assortment of sweets and treats, including crayons and activity books suitable for children ages 12 and younger.
