Merry Christmas Fund gets its first donations

Goal: $50,000

Given Today: $1,300 Given to date: $1,300 CHESTER » The Salvation Army/ Daily Times 2019 Merry Christmas Fund received its first donations over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The first donors to the fund that will provide toys and a food basket to over 275 families in need for the holidays are:

• Rosemarie and Robert Naef of Aston, $200.

• Kevin and Concetta Albright of Clifton Heights, $200.

• Anne Wright of Newtown Square, $500: “God bless our Troops here and oversees, and keep them safe. Merry Christmas.”

• Eunice L. Mayhugh of Media,

$100: “In memory of my husband Daniel. A Blessed Christmas to all.”

• Dennis O’Neil of Garnet Valley,

$300: “In memory of Ralph ‘Papi’ Gil, Ed ‘Wally’ Wallace and Sean O’Neil. We miss you.”

The Salvation Army Chester Corps was active through Thanksgiving week, welcoming Widener

University hospitality and tourism management students Wednesday night to serve its annual Thanksgiving eve dinner. Multiple groups of diners passed through the 176-table setup over the course of the evening, according to Maj. Ervin McKoy of the Chester Corps.

The Widener students – comprised of program freshmen and seniors in a leadership course – performed fundraising, purchasing and food preparation for the dinner.

“It was a full house… we want to thank the Widener students for their help serving and preparing the meal,” said McKoy. The Chester Corps’ staff cook arrived early on Thanksgiving Day and Friday to provide holiday food for clients in the corps shelter – about 40 each day – McKoy said.

The Chester Corps now has kettle workers at 15-18 area sites for the national organization’s annual Kettle Drive. The corps is welcoming addition workers through the season.

“Any groups that want to come out and ring bells for the Salvation Army – fraternities and sororities, teenagers, sports teams, companies – and help the Salvation Army raise money, that would be great,” McKoy said.

Those interested in the Kettle Drive may call Chester Corps headquarters at 610-874-0423.

The Daily Times will provide updates showing the amount of donations received and list the names of contributors to the Merry Christmas Fund. Those who wish to be recognized should include a very brief, legible holiday message with their donations.