Donate food, gifts so elderly people without families can have a Christmas

CHAMBERSBURG - Hundreds of people across the county have no family to celebrate Christmas with. 

But Lynne Newman, her team of volunteers and the Salvation Army step in each year to make sure these people, many of them elderly, get a hot meal, a gift and friendship on the special holiday. 

For the 26th year, Newman will lead dozens of volunteers as they distribute meals and gifts to hundreds of shut-ins around the county on Christmas morning, and serve the hundreds of others who come out to the Salvation Army, 159 Lincoln Way West, between noon and 2 p.m. 

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 Around 600 people receive meals and gifts each year, Newman said. That's about 650-percent more people than the first year, when there were about 80 recipients. 

"In all the years I've done this, I've never seen the need diminish," she said. 

But donations of food and gifts are needed to make it all possible. 

It takes around two dozen turkeys, 30 loaves of bread, and many pounds of mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, cranberry relish and other side dishes to fulfill all of the meals delivered to homes and served at the Salvation Army. While the Salvation Army may have some of this in its stock, that food is for the organization's regular programs and Newman stays away from using any of it; anything still needed after the donations are sorted will be purchased. 

Newman encourages people who want to donate food items to call her first to see what items are needed.

As for gifts, donations of hats, gloves, slippers, toiletries, dish towels, stationary, trinkets and other siimilar items are sought. Items don't need to be expensive, Newman said. 

All donations should be dropped off at the Salvation Army, with a clear note stating they are for the Christmas dinner, Newman said. 

Those to whom meals and gifts are delivered are all clients with Meals on Wheels and the Office of Aging. The Christmas provided by Newman and the Salvation Army is the only celebration many of them will have. Many of them are elderly people who, for whatever reason, don't have family to celebrate with. 

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Even though Newman is Jewish and therefore doesn't celebrate Christmas, it is very important to her that everybody who wants to celebrate, can. 

"My heart hurts for them, they're alone," she said. "I want them to know there are people who care about them, there are people who love them and are desperate to help." 

This Christmas dinner will not be possible without volunteers to help make food, wrap gifts, deliver meals to shut-ins and handle other responsibilities. It will take 25-30 volunteers alone to deliver meals throughout the county. 

Each of those volunteers will get about three addresses to deliver the meals and gifts to. That way, volunteers can spend some time with each recipient, so that that person has someone to open their gift with and talk to on the holiday, Newman said. 

In addition to the meals and gifts, each recipient will get a poinsettia donated by Plasterer's Florist, Chambersburg. 

Newman and her volunteers will also deliver meals to police, fire and EMS personnel who are working on Christmas. 

 Anyone interested in donating food and/or gifts or becoming a volunteer should contact Newman at 717-263-2151 or 717-360-2407.