Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa to all.
Hard to believe, but today is the last column for 2022; another 52 columns in the book in a 23-year history of My Corner, Your Corner.
Children all over Greater Pittston are opening presents from Santa Claus and as an adult, that’s the best sight to see.
With organizations like the Greater Pittston Santa Squad, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Valley Santa and others, children all over will have the opportunity to rip into wrapping paper to see what they received.
For as long as I can remember, it was always the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program that aided families in need of toys for their children for Christmas.
Five years ago, Pittston’s own Anthony Marranca decided to change the landscape of how things can be when it came to donating gift items to children when he created the Greater Pittston Santa Squad (GPSS).
Luckily for me, I was reporting on this organization from the ground floor, and I’ve seen it grow and grow and grow to the point, I’m losing track of how many toys they have donated from day one.
It’s been such a labor of love from this group of individuals that make up GPSS that include a board of directors and many volunteers.
Early on was such a learning curve for Marranca and GPSS and now, they are more confident in a system that includes scanning and logging every item that is donated and handed out.
Again, over the years, as GPSS picked up steam, outside organizations have taken notice and many have donated generously.
Our good friend Pat Stella and her son, Richard Corbin, owners of several McDonald’s franchises from Dunmore to Wilkes-Barre with one on Rt. 315, Pittston, stepped in last year with a kind donation, and this year they upped their game when they gave proceeds from McSanta Day, a day when three of their restaurants participated in donating a percentage of sales to GPSS.
Marranca and others from GPSS spent McSanta Day at the Pittston location were they did various duties making their presence known and to thank people for donating.
I’m sure it was a great day for them and in fact, Pat and Richard just presented a check to GPSS from that day for over $3,700, that’s a lot of money that will help tons of children.
The City of Pittston’s Shop with a Cop, only in its second year, increased donations over the first year, and they too are figuring out the right combination to make their event even more successful each and every year.
Main Street Manager Mary Kroptavich, Mayor Michael Lombardo and with the edition of Jenna Strzelecki in marketing and special events, made huge upgrades to this year’s event, including having one of the largest tents erected in the area that didn’t include elephants, lions and tigers. Its size was circus like.
Shop with a Cop is an event were money is raised by the city and family with financial needs get to have their children spend $100 cash and shop from local vendors aided by law enforcement, EMTs and firefighters for Christmas gifts for family and friends.
It’s amazing how many families in Greater Pittston are helped by organizations like the GPSS and Shop with a Cop. There is no need for a child to have an unhappy Christmas. That’s Anthony Marranca’s philosophy.
We all know the reason for the season, as they say and that is Jesus and the message is sharing love.
As I’ve suggested in the past, the older I get the more I don’t get the concept of buying things, random or not, to family and friends, but maybe it’s the symbol of gift-giving that is important. That symbol is showing your love and gratitude to others.
As Ruth Carter Stapleton once said, “Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those that need it the most.”
Christmas is a time for family and a time for togetherness. It’s a time to forgive and forget and to move forward leaving the past behind.
It’s a time to be happy, even though we all know there is so much sadness in the world with wars and torment.
Not everyone will feel the joy of Christmas and to those that lost a loved one over the Christmas holiday, know that our hearts and minds are with you.
To those suffering from depression, look for the light at the end of the tunnel so your so you can find your happiness and bliss.
Let us remember our departed loved ones at this time as well as my sister reminded me how much she misses our mother and father during the holidays.
There are times when we need our parents and Christmas is one of those holidays where having them just makes the holiday sweeter and just a bit more meaningful.
For those with parents and even grandparents, cherish this holiday and never take them for granted.
I will enjoy my time with family today holding memories of today and yesterday close to my heart.
Merry Christmas everyone, enjoy the day and the holiday season and in one week’s time, we start anew.
Quote of the week
“Christmas is forever, not for just one day. For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away.” Norman Wesley Brooks
Thought of the week
“Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows.” – Edwin Osgood Grover
Bumper stick
“Christmas Day is a day that holds all time together.” – Alexander Smith
