Hundreds of needy families lined up to receive their Holiday goodies.
Frederick, Md (KM). The toys, clothing and other items purchased through donations made to “Christmas Cash for Kids” were distributed last Friday. Hundreds of people lined up at the Frederick Fairgrounds to receive the goodies they’ll place under their Christmas trees for their children on December 25th. One of them was Angie, who said she was grateful. “Being thankful for the people who are able to help us, help our children, help our families, the less fortunate. It’s a big deal and we wouldn’t be able to do it without you guys,” she said.
Between November 27th and December 1st, 2017, WFMD collected $120,896 for the “Christmas Cash for Kids.” The money was turned over the Salvation Army which purchased the toys, clothing and other items for needy families who may not have a Happy Holiday season this year.
“Christmas Cash for Kids” originally began in 1975, when a disc jockey at radio station WZYQ (Z-104) received a phone call from a listener who said there was family in the Frederick area that would have no Christmas. The DJ made the decision to help out and the station raised $1,500 to make sure that family would have a Happy Christmas. The dj, playing Santa, delivered the toys and other goodies to a family who lived in a shanty off a dirt road north of Frederick, according to WFMD’s website.
Years later, after the demise of Z104, “Christmas Cash for Kids” came to WFMD.
There were plenty of volunteers to help out last Friday to sort and pack the gifts, and present them to needy families. One was John Travis, who was handing out gifts in the cold weather. “I love it cold. I love weather like this. It’s nice to be able to get out here and help these folks, get them in and out of the building as quick as possible. They’ve got a great set up inside where they’re here for maybe ten-minutes at the most and then they’re back on their way to go home and check out what they got in their bags and wrap it all up for Christmas,” he said.
Also helping out was Josephine Ciacilini. “It’s nice to know that what you’re putting in this bag is really going to impact someone’s life, maybe for that moment, maybe for a week, but maybe for their entire life. So that’s what we’re trying to do here,” she said. “So we pack those bags with toys and love.”
The distribution hours on Friday were from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
By Kevin McManus