Almost 300 families benefit from Christmas Castle program
Paige found a cute pair of boots while shopping with Christmas Castle. (Marianne Austin)
Salvation Army Major Victoria Clark said they had 298 families sign up with the Christmas Castle this year.
“There are 704 children total through those families,” she said. “Some families are third generation, being raised by their great-grandparents. Some are being raised by grandparents and some are raised by their aunts in kinship. That’s why there is a large number of families this year. We are able to reach out and support them and bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to them. Our community was very responsive and very generous with an outpouring of $51,500 we raised for the Christmas Castle. That is the largest that we have ever raised in our history.”
Clark said they are blessed to be a recipient of the generosity of Coshoctonians.
“We are blessed by the fact that we are able to provide that kind of assistance to our families and bring them into Walmart to do their Christmas shopping,” she said. “They are able to get clothing that they need and the winter clothes they need, and they have an opportunity to get a Christmas basket with the gift certificates they get through Buehler’s. They partner with us to provide that Christmas dinner. We are very fortunate to have lots of partners to come along side because we could not do it on our own. Our community embracing this particular program gives us the opportunity to maximize the great need that is out there. We do clothing and the Toy Chest does the toys. It’s a great thing that children are able to get toys through the Toy Chest and clothing through the Christmas Castle. It’s a great opportunity for the community to embrace the spirit of Christmas giving. The Angels that are kindergarten and younger are able to buy some toys with their $50 voucher or comfort things like diapers, blankets or soft toys.”
Nine-year-old Paige was shopping with her mom Jenny and her sister. Paige found some cute sparkly boots. Shopping for clothes Paige said she also likes the baby Yoga shirts.
Kat Durben, her daughter Danika and infant son Isayah were having fun. “My mom said I could get underwear, shirts and pants. I’m not really asking for toys,” Danika said.
Amber Edgell was shopping for her children Jayce 10 and Ellie 8. “I really appreciate this because Christmas is tight this year. I really appreciate what they do for families.” Amber said.
Category: People & Places
