12-06-2024 4:07am

It's Never Too Late To Be an Angel

Lesley Misko Editor

by Julie Cordingley *

Unlike similar programs where there is an actual physical tree, “decorated” with written tags of ages and clothing sizes, Boyertown’s Multi Service simply calls it their Christmas Giving Program. Regardless of the name, the outcome is the same: children from 0 to 18 years old will have a gift to open on Christmas and will know that they are valued and loved -- thanks to anonymous angels.

Boyertown’s Multi Service’s Community Outreach Director, Diana Harner, heads up this wonderful 14+ year tradition, but she is quick to point out “…there are many volunteer elves behind the scenes that make it such a success.” It is a remarkable group effort with the goal of providing for the more than 350 names that come to Multi Service. Harner explains that these children are asked for their personalized list which is simply broken down into three categories: the child’s wants, needs, and favorites. Each “written ornament” represents a child secretly asking for something to make their holiday a little brighter.

That is where the Christmas spirit of individuals, families, churches, and organizational angels comes into the picture. Equaling the number of childhood wishes for gifts, there are many varied reasons that determine the kind of gift the sponsors lovingly select. Perhaps they want an absolutely-all-out-fun gift that could quickly be replaced by the next fad, or maybe they want their gift to be practical and useful the whole year through. No matter their reason for their choice, these anonymous angels realize that even though they don’t know “their child,” nor will they receive a personalized thank you, if there is a smile on Christmas Day, then that is enough.

The Christmas Giving Program is a meaningful opportunity to support neighbors in Boyertown and its surrounding areas. Names of children are still filtering into the Multi Service Center so there is need for additional sponsors. It is as simple as calling the Multi Service Center (610-367-6957; ext 229), where Harner will gladly give all the necessary details. Ideally, all the unwrapped purchases should be at the Center (200 Spring Street, Boyertown) by Friday, Dec. 13. The Elves will take care of the wrapping, as well as ensuring those heartfelt gifts make it to the children’s homes by Christmas morning.

It has been over 40 years since a chemist job in Malvern lured Julie Cordingley away from her up state, New York home. She is a proud resident of Gilbertsville! Besides working in industry, at various times she has been a stay-at-home mom, and has just recently retired from Phoenixville Area School District as a (wait for it!) chemistry teacher. It has been a life-long dream to be a writer. She figures she can work at that craft while also traveling with her husband in their drivable RV… a retirement present to herself!