The Bristol-based nonprofit helps spread holiday cheer to local senior citizens
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Cheryl Campbell never thought one small act of kindness would make a difference. Never in her wildest dreams did she think helping an elderly woman with groceries would unveil her life’s calling.
But now, one decade later, this Levittown resident and her team of more than 60 volunteers are bringing much-needed positivity to senior citizens throughout Bucks County. Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, Campbell’s nonprofit The Christmas Gala, headquartered at 1228 Radcliffe St., Bristol, aids local seniors with everything from electric bills to transportation to doctor’s visits. As its name suggests, it also spreads holiday cheer to those without loved ones.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, at Beka’s Catering at the Waterfall Room in Philadelphia, The Christmas Gala is hosting a special Diamond Gala event in honor of this major milestone. Sponsored by LIFE St. Mary, a senior care facility in Feasterville-Trevose, the evening’s proceeds will benefit The Christmas Gala’s programs, which are aimed at practicing “the gift of giving all year round.”
According to Campbell, she never intentionally set out to create a nonprofit. It just sort of happened. Ten years ago, on the one-year anniversary of her grandmother’s passing, she was at a grocery store shopping for her Christmas party. This was something she hosted at her home every December for family and friends.
“As I’m standing there, in front of me there’s a woman in her 70s, maybe even 80s, and she had two cart-fulls of groceries,” Campbell recalled.
After overhearing the woman ask an employee to call her a cab, Campbell stepped in. It was 9 p.m. and she wasn’t about to let this fellow shopper wait by herself. Campbell asked the woman if she’d like a ride home, and she agreed. Once they arrived, Campbell volunteered to carry the groceries in for her.
Inside, Campbell was taken aback by the conditions. There was clutter everywhere and each room smelled of animals. During the nine-minute drive from the store, Campbell also learned what the woman wished for most — to die. She had outlived everyone she knew, and no longer saw much purpose in sticking around.
“It was not a good situation,” she said. “How does that even happen that somebody’s left like that? To me in my head, I had taken care of my grandmother for 10 years. I never even imagined that there were old people that didn’t have somebody taking care of them.”
After this eye-opening encounter, Campbell realized there had to be others nearby living in similar conditions. She wanted to help and decided to turn her 2008 Christmas party into her very first fundraiser. Campbell began visiting senior centers to find out what the needs were.
At one location, she spotted a tree with a slew of angels hanging from the branches, each emblazoned with a senior’s Christmas gift request. Campbell took 10 with her, figuring a few of her friends may want to assist. The support they showed was unprecedented, and Campbell returned to the center multiple times to obtain more angels. That year, Campbell and her friends fulfilled the gift requests of 67 seniors and raised $1,700.
“Who would’ve thought I’d make money at my first fundraiser? At least I thought we were supposed to, but according to statistics, you don’t usually make money very much on your first one,” she said.
However, Campbell quickly learned that no one would accept her donation unless she became a “real” nonprofit. With the help of a lawyer friend, the 501(c)(3) known as The Christmas Gala was born. Campbell began introducing herself to anyone and everyone who took care of seniors, and requests for financial aid started to trickle in. During its first few years, The Christmas Gala helped fund electric and water bills, Depends and more.
By its fifth year, the nonprofit was receiving referrals from 30 organizations. With such an increase in traffic, Campbell decided it was time for a rebrand. Under the umbrella of The Christmas Gala, two programs were formed — the E.P.I.C. Program, which fundraises specifically for these referrals, and the Angel Program, the initiative that started it all.
Last year, The Christmas Gala’s Angel efforts resulted in the distribution of 1,100 gifts. Seniors are able to fill out forms with their gift requests, which are then placed on trees at 30 organizations including Family Service Association of Bucks County.
“Our Angel Program isn’t just for those that are poor. It is for a senior that is sitting at home by himself on Christmas Day and there’s no family around,” Campbell said. “He might have $1 million in the bank, but he’s getting no present at Christmas time because he outlived everybody.”
Campbell stressed that the Angel Program is a year-round project. Paper towels and toilet paper will be collected in January and February, dog and cat food in March, and dental supplies in April.
The Christmas Gala recently implemented a third program called E.C.H.O.S., which helps seniors find transportation to and from doctor’s appointments. Though this initiative is still in its early stages, Campbell hopes to build upon it in 2019.
Proceeds from the Diamond Gala, which is slated to welcome 300 attendees, will be put toward all of these efforts. The evening will feature dinner, raffles, live music and a reflection on The Christmas Gala’s decade of success, which was accomplished exclusively by volunteers.
“All of the hours that my people put in here are all because they want to,” Campbell said. “It’s not a paycheck.” ••
If you go…
The Christmas Gala’s 10th anniversary Diamond Gala will take place Saturday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 11 p.m. at Beka’s Catering at the Waterfall Room, 2791 Southampton Road, Philadelphia. Those interested are encouraged to purchase tickets by Nov. 25. For tickets and information, visit thechristmasgala.org or call 267–549–7602.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
