Help Give A Local Teenager A Happy Holiday Season

The United Way of Bucks County and LevittownNow.com are working together to ensure older children and teenagers have gifts coming their way this holiday season.

The organization has estimated that while many younger  children receive gifts through various programs around the season, hundreds of kids over the age of 13 receive few to no age appropriate gifts since many organizations have a cut off age for gifts received.

This is the second year the United Way will offer the Holiday Gift Card Drive, allowing those throughout the community a resource to give older children a special holiday gift. According to the organization, older children and teenagers are often the hardest to shop for and the most overlooked during the giving season; giving the children gift cards allows them the chance to go out with their friends and purchase something they’ve been eyeing.

One local mother was helped by the program last year, and said she’s forever thankful for what the United Way’s Gift Card Drive did for her family.

“I’m not working, my children’s father has passed away, I’m just in a really hard position right now,” she said. “Most organizations go up to aged 13, and I didn’t want to sign up for one of those knowing that one of my boys would receive gifts and not the other.” said the mother of two sons – one age 11 and the other 14 – who was helped by the program last year.

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The mother, who wished to not to be identified, said she reached out to the organization last year in hopes they could help her give her children a great Christmas. Within days, her sons received age-appropriate gift cards, like those to Hollister and Game Stop, which are both places her sons love to shop.

“It’s such a wonderful agency,” she said. “I really, really am grateful.”

Danielle Bush, who organizes the annual Holiday Gift Card Drive, says the gift cards can mean a whole lot for kids who may not be expecting anything. “Getting an older kid or teen a gift card to a clothing store or a fast food restaurant gives them the opportunity to go out and get something to eat with friends or to shop for themselves. That can be really empowering,” Bush explained.

Once donated gift cards are collected, they are distributed to hundreds of older kids and teens in need throughout Bucks County, many in the Levittown area. Gift cards to clothing stores, fast food eateries, coffee shops and entertainment stores are ideal for older kids and teens.

While the organization serviced about 200 children last year, the need has grown to 400 this year.

The United Way of Bucks County, which is based in Fairless Hills, will accept gift cards of all denominations, starting at $5, now through December 17. All donations go to local teens and older kids who are experiencing a true need this holiday season.

There are three ways for members of the community to help with this project:

1. Bring gift cards to the office: United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Blvd., Fairless Hills, PA, 19030;
2. Mail in a check with “Gift Card Drive” on the memo line;
3. Visit www.uwbucks.org/donate and target your donation to the holiday gift card drive.