I’d like to thank everyone who congratulated me on 25 years of writing this column. I’ve been overwhelmed with emotion on everyone that posted a comment on social media, called, texted and emailed me, I’m truly appreciative.
I really do try my best to make the column entertaining and/or informative each and every week. Granted, I don’t hit a homerun all the time, but I try to do my best.
Some columnists make writing a column easy, but truth be known, we all have a big zero in our heads on column deadline day. Writer’s block is not for the faint of heart — it’s real.
Again, thank you for encouraging me to continue on and thanks to the Times Leader Media Group for allowing that to happen.
Moving on, as we approach the holiday season, people are gearing up for gift buying, and programs like the Greater Pittston Santa Squad (GPSS) are winding down with toy collections and distributing all the Angel Wish lists. Parents and guardians have been heading to the former Seton Catholic gym, where the entire gym floor was covered north to south and east to west.
It looks like over 1,500 five-toy gift bags have been picked up, which will make many children in Greater Pittston very happy.
It takes a lot of people behind GPSS with a core group governing over the group and tons of volunteers along the way. It takes a big effort from the public to take on Angel Wish lists and nothing could be accomplished if it wasn’t for the donors. I’m sure there is a ton of satisfaction from donors to buy the Christmas gifts and many of you take on not one child, but many and some businesses take on dozens.
I’ve seen GPSS grow from day one and for as much as I’ve seen on the inside; the growth has been enormous since the first year.
We all have known for many, many years the main organization helping children has been the U.S. Marine’s Toy for Tots program.
I don’t want to take away from their program, but I can’t say for sure if toys you donate go right back into your community or are they sent to a community in need?
What I do know is this, 100% of what’s collected and donated to the GPSS, stays right here in our area and that’s why it is so important to back GPSS.
Another thing I know, the GPSS will not rest on their laurels, they will keep fighting for the children of Greater Pittston, a community were probably most of the people involved in the organization may know a recipient.
There is no doubt Toys for Tots are doing great things nationwide and GPSS is doing great things for Greater Pittston.
One more thing about GPSS, after two years of making the former Seton Catholic gym their home base, they will be looking for a new home for the church has taken a different avenue for the use of the facility.
Anthony Marranca, GPSS founder and president, is still hoping for some kind of resolve and keeping his fingers crossed in hoping the church will have a change of heart and let them lease the gym for another year.
If that is not the case, they need space and a decent amount of square footage needed for the Christmas season. Basically, there are two to three months out of the year they need a large space. The rest of the year, space is needed to hold toy, bike, and clothing inventory carry over from the previous year.
It’s a tall order, but maybe someone out there with a big heart can support the GPSS and their mission of making at least 1,500 children in Greater Pittston and providing, whether by donating space or charging a lease for the space, an adequate area that is hopefully on one level and possibly ground level.
Reach out the Marranca via the GPSS Facebook account at https://tinyurl.com/573dhk2t for questions on space needed for next year.
Your kind gesture will make over 1,500 area children happy for the 2025 Christmas campaign.
A few weeks ago, I made a comment prior to the election that I didn’t feel the economy is as bad as reported and I still stand by that comment.
Again, drive by any restaurant at dinnertime and see if you could get a table.
I also predicted Christmas sales would be at record level and I may have gone out on a limb with the prediction, I read records were set again for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday.
Let’s not forget Holy Crap I Spent a Ton of Money on Christmas Wednesday.
Even though spending is up, my family decided to not exchange gifts this year. I’m not a big fan of that, and I admit I do spend more that I should.
In the past, there was no limit, then we decided to limit the spending (that didn’t work either) and now we are down to not exchanging.
Maybe American author has it right, “Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”
I feel as I’ve grown on in years, I’ve enjoyed the act of giving more that receiving, but this year, I will do neither. That’s a bit sad.
Quote of the Week
“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth, sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” — Richelle E. Goodrich
Thought of the Week
“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” — Janice Maeditere
Bumper Sticker
“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” — Marjorie Holmes
