Local Businesses Donate, Help Saucon Valley Families

Throughout the holiday season our thoughts are frequently turned toward the latest and flashiest gifts available, and it's easy to become caught up in the extravagance encouraged by retailers.

Sometimes lost amid all the holiday hoopla are the needs of less fortunate members of the community, some of whom may be too proud to ask for assistance, and some of whom aren't accustomed to needing financial help.

In spite of Saucon Valley's reputation as a relatively affluent area, principal Pamela Bernardo said there is real economic need among the students who attend her school, some of whom will receive $25 retail gift cards thanks to the generosity of some Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce member businesses.

"Our diversity here is not ethnic--it's economic," she said during a presentation ceremony Friday, Dec. 16, when chamber president Bob Knauss delivered a check for $750 to staff who will help distribute the donated funds.

Also on hand for the ceremony were seventh and eighth grade counselor Thomas Baldo, fifth and sixth grade counselor Patti Farrell and K-12 mental health specialist/, all of whom had a hand in helping to coordinate the giving initiative.

Bernardo said she began to observe signs of economic stress within the families of some students over the summer, and explained that the counselors in many cases have much greater familiarity with the unique factors negatively impacting a family's financial situation.

"We realized that we do have a number of families in need here," Baldo said. "We wanted to try to reach out to the community, because we all live and work together."

In addition to the donations from the chamber businesses, he explained that a Secret Santa-style program set up within the middle school encouraged additional donations, which will be added to the total amount collected by the chamber.

At least 50 families of students will receive $25 gift cards, he added.

Knauss acknowledged that the chamber "didn't have a whole lot of time to put the (fund drive) together," but said there was a "heartwarming" outpouring of financial support from the businesses that he was able to contact via email.

"Checks just started showing up in the mail," he said, adding that donations ranged from $25 to $150.

When asked why the fund drive was significant, Knauss highlighted the fact that it involved local businesses helping local families.

"This was an opportunity for us to do something right in our own backyards," he said.

Farrell said the gift cards given to students will most likely come from a "family-oriented" store such as  or Target, where a variety of items--including food--can be purchased.

She added that she's been personally touched by the stories of need she has heard.

"You know there's a desperation--as a parent--when you can't provide for your kids," Farrell said.

Bernardo also noted that in order to teach all middle school students about the importance of giving back, each grade undertakes an annual service project, such as collecting food for a local pantry.

A large collection that included 50 jars of peanut butter was recently delivered to the food bank by students, who were able to note that the pantry was down to its last four jars, she said.

"It was important for us to do something with the community," she added.

The following local businesses or organizations were contributors to the fund drive, Knauss said: Employee Employer Solutions, , , deLeon Excavating, Rustic Exteriors, , , First Niagara Bank, , Joshua Tree, Chester Financial Group, , Karpaco Inc., Jack Gaither and .