The weather may be hot and humid outside, but Boscov's Department Store in the Fairlane Village mall is celebrating "Christmas in July" by assisting the Pottsville office of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown in its mission to provide services to people who need help.
"Christmas in July" began Wednesday and will end July 31. It is the second year the charitable organization and retailer have teamed up.
Shoppers who enter the main entrance lobby will notice three large Christmas wreaths decorated with red, white and blue paper stars, with a table in front with more stars. People can pick a star and purchase the item listed at Boscov's or any other store, after which they can bring the item to the Boscov's courtesy desk. David Dagon is the Schuylkill County supervisor at the local Catholic Charities office in Pottsville.
"We have a pregnancy support services program. A counselor provides support, counseling, information regarding stages of development for a child or relationship issues that a pregnant woman might have," Dagon said. "But to supplement that program, we also provide some material assistance, such as if they need baby clothing or diapers or any of the items on the stars."
"Each of the stars represent items that are needed for these children," said Liz Eich, Boscov's store manager. "We have crib sheets, diaper bags, onesies, Boscov's gift cards, infant towels, baby wash. These are all items that are needed by these children. When the items are brought in, we ensure that it gets to Catholic Charities."
"Our counselor provides that kind of material assistance," Dagon said. "The need keeps growing. Our requests for help are 30 percent higher this summer than it was in the same period last summer, but our resources don't keep up, so this program is a big help to those who have the need."
Boscov's is also holding a food drive for the Catholic Charities food pantry. The pantry is in need of canned tuna, canned fruit, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal and other non-perishable food items. Donations to the pantry can be dropped off in the main entrance lobby in the large white containers next to the Christmas wreaths.
"We're certainly grateful to Boscov's for providing this service to Catholic Charities," Dagon said. "In the summer months, our food pantry tends to become depleted. Kids are home from school, and since there are no school lunches, families have to provide more for the summer months and our requests for assistance go up."
"People can purchase non-perishable food and deposit them in the white containers here in the lobby," Eich said. "I think what's important to remember is that Catholic Charities feeds everyone. It's not just an organization that just feeds Catholics. There are no restrictions because of religious belief. Whoever needs help is assisted," Dagon said.
"Food pantries are in such need these days," Eich said.
The third part of the "Christmas in July" project occurs at checkouts throughout the store.
"There is also the pin-up sales, where a customer can donate $1 or more at the register. The pin-ups are displayed at our courtesy desk on the second level of the store," Eich said.
The proceeds from the pin-up sales all go to Catholic Charities.
The Catholic Charities office is at 13 Westwood Road, Pottsville. For more information, call 570-628-0466.