Some of the generous donors to The Tablet’s Bright Christmas Fund send along notes with their contributions. Some ask for prayers for the recently deceased as they offer their donations in their memories.

Perhaps the most touching to date this year was the message from Mrs. R. Calero of Queens who asked us to remember her son, Major Jeffrey Ray Calero who was killed in October in Afghanistan.

“He died doing what he loved – defending our freedom,” wrote Mrs. Calero.
Angela Reddin of East Elmhurst asked that we remember her beloved husband, Sean, who died last February.

Elizabeth Bonamassa of Dyker Heights wanted to remember her daughter, Rosemary Rubino, who passed away last December from breast cancer.

We remember these and all the deceased donors to the Bright Christmas Campaign in our prayers. We recommend them to you for your own remembrances.

I also love to receive donations from out of town from people who have moved out of Brooklyn or Queens but continue to receive The Tablet by mail. Muriel Bannon of Tilton Falls, N.J., sent her best wishes in this way: “I am so glad to receive The Tablet. I lived in New York for 84 years. When I moved to New Jersey, I felt left out of familiar church and priest events. Now thanks to The Tablet, I still feel connected plus I get a Catholic point of view.”

Of course, we also enjoy being cheered on by readers like Brenda Myers of Ozone Park who wrote: “Hope that the bright Christmas will be a great success. May God bless you in the work you do for His little ones.”

Tina Massimino added: “Enclosed is my annual contribution to your fund. I hope you have a successful campaign for this worthwhile cause.”

And this from Katherine Denega of Park Slope: “This is a wonderful effort and I hope and pray you do as well or better this year. My small contribution is enclosed.”

No contribution is small. One annual donor said he wished he could send more but he tries to help many different charities and so he must divide his money accordingly.

We appreciate every dollar, whether it is sent as a single or part of a larger donation. A check for $1,000 arrived just this morning. There were also several for a couple of hundred dollars each.

One reader requested that we explain once again how we use the money. The formula is simple, quick and efficient. I pool all the resources and then send individual checks to pastors, sisters and lay leaders who work directly with children, especially in the poorer neighborhoods of our diocese. The instruction is simple. I ask them to use the money to buy something for Christmas for the children in their care.

Sometimes, their thank you notes will be accompanied by pictures of a Bright Christmas party which they were able to celebrate because of our check.
Some assist individual families in need this Christmas season.

Some purchase toys while others may opt for clothing that’s necessary for the cold weather.

Last year, we were able to distribute approximately $125,000 to the needy in Brooklyn and Queens. This year, we hope to do even better. Already, more than $50,000 has been received here in our offices and there are many more envelopes waiting to be opened.

To participate in Bright Christmas, use the form below.

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