By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
“Although This year’s Christmas campaign was a bit smaller than the funds and donations raised in 2020, We were able to help about 55 area families with our Christmas Wish program this year,” Clare County Review Editor Mike Wilcox said this week. “The program raised about $10,000 and there were many, many donations including a $2,000 donation from a Farwell woman again this year.
“This is the 11th year for the program,” Wilcox added, “and once again this year several people have even offered to help individual families realize their Christmas wishes.”
An annual program at the Review, advertisers who have bought two ads in December also helped the program, since 20 percent of the cost of their ads went directly into the Christmas Wish fund.
Over the years many people have donated toys, clothes, food, Christmas items and more to help the families in need during the holiday season. ““We have helped with heating and utility bills, provided transportation, helped keep people in their homes and provided Christmas presents for kids who might otherwise not have found anything under the tree on Christmas morning.”
“That’s what it’s all about,” Mike said. “It goes without saying,” he continued, “that we really appreciate those businesses who have reached out to help us help those in need. Thousands of dollars are going to people who are struggling again this year due to the continuing COVID economy.”
“So much appreciation goes to those individuals who have made cash contributions to help us raise funds for the program,” he added.
“The businesses in our area and the individuals have, despite their own economic struggles over the past two years, continued to amaze us with their generosity,” Mike said earlier this week. . “It has been a tough couple of years for everyone, but helping others is still a big part of our small town communities.”
“Here at the Review, we are doing just a little part to make things better for as many struggling families as we can,” he said. “This means the world to those people who are struggling – those that we have been able to help through our Christmas Wish program,” he concluded.
He emphasized once again that ALL of the money and gifts collected are distributed goes to local families in our own area.