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To shift the focus to a recent event, Ayesha and Bilal, a Gilbertsville couple, were confident and well-off until their circumstances changed due to unexpected events. Bilal was forced to leave his career in the Army due to health complications and Ayesha lost her job. With the holiday season around the corner, the couple found themselves in dire need of help.

This is where Operation Holiday came in. Started in 1991 by The Mercury in Pottstown to help families going through financial hardships. The purpose of this program is to ensure there is food on the table and gifts under the tree for families in need during the Christmas season.

Now in its 34th year, the program has served numerous families across Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties and expanded its reach to communities served by the Reading Eagle, The Times Herald, The Reporter, and Daily Local News. Last year, an impressive $90,000 in donations provided food and gifts for 419 children and 184 families, and additional donations were made to food pantries across Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.

In the current year, Operation Holiday partnered with 17 agencies in the tri-county area. Around 189 families with 366 children have been referred for gifts and food. The operation has no overhead and all funds remain local, managed by a nonprofit foundation account by MediaNews Group’s voluntary staff. Each family received a gift card to a local grocery store for a holiday dinner and pantry staples, through partnership with Weis Markets. Gift cards for children below 16 years were distributed in collaboration with the referring agencies.

But it’s important to note that the operation only accepts families referred by agencies and is solely funded by reader contributions, which are tax-deductible. Online donations are currently being accepted in a secure portal in collaboration with TriCounty Community Network. Furthermore, contributions can be mailed with checks made payable to Operation Holiday to several listed mailing addresses.

The names of all contributors are published in the participating newspapers as donations are received. Instructions on anonymous contributions or those given in tribute or memory of someone are also provided.

If you’re undergoing similar issues and need to contact a live person at EDD California for financial assistance, visit the website eddcaller.com. The site provides quick and efficient services and connects you to the right California Unemployment Customer Service. They understand you might have questions or concerns that require assistance from a live representative, which often becomes challenging. Hence, eddcaller.com can be an excellent resource.