EASTON — Generous donors opened their hearts and wallets to give nearly $107,000 to The Star Democrat‘s 2020 Brighter Christmas Fund.
The total given to provide a merrier Christmas for Mid-Shore children is $106,845.75.
APG Chesapeake was proud to be part of Santa’s Mid-Shore team. It was the 17th year in a row the Brighter Christmas Fund raised more than $100,000.
APG Chesapeake and The Star Democrat‘s Brighter Christmas Fund kicked off its 37th year at the end of Nov. 2020, and the fund’s board of directors and partner agencies welcomed Mid-Shore residents to share in the joy of giving so that Santa has plenty of toys and cozy slippers and warm clothing to give to local children.
Your donations helped 1,306 children during the 2020 holiday season: 315 in Caroline County, 598 in Dorchester, 96 in Kent, 56 in Queen Anne’s, and 241 in Talbot.
Those children were members of 568 families: 139 in Caroline, 253 in Dorchester, 42 in Kent, 21 in Queen Anne’s and 113 in Talbot.
The total amount awarded to those families was $97,950: $23,625 in Caroline, $45,075 in Dorchester, $6,750 in Kent, $4,200 in Queen Anne’s, $18,300 in Talbot.
The Star Democrat and its sister newspapers published stories each day about families in Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Kent counties who were struggling to provide a Christmas for their children. The names and some details concerning those featured in the stories were changed to mask their identities.
Those stories were the only way The Star Democrat solicited donations for the Brighter Christmas Fund.
In 2019, the Brighter Christmas Fund raised more than $108,000, thanks to the generosity of Mid-Shore readers and residents. Those donations allowed the fund to help more than 1,714 children have a brighter holiday.
The pandemic created a greater need for donations, according to APG Chesapeake CEO Jim Normandin. “The board (of directors) is committed to increase the per child grant to $75 per child,” he said at the 2020 Fund’s kickoff.
The Brighter Christmas Fund board of directors included Normandin, Tracy Berrigan, Tim Kagan, Tony Mohan and Mike Wheatley.
From Nov. 24 through Dec. 31, 2020, The Star Democrat and its sister newspapers published stories each day about families in Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Kent counties who struggled to provide a Christmas for their children. These stories were the only way The Star Democrat solicited donations for the Brighter Christmas Fund.
Because of your generosity, parents and caregivers were able to provide gifts for their children. The Star Democrat donated 100% of the Fund’s administrative and operating costs.
“There are zero administrative costs associated with running the Brighter Christmas Fund. Any costs that are incurred are paid for by APG Chesapeake,” Normandin said. “So 100% of the donations make their way to the children and families in need during Christmas time. We are proud to fulfill this goal as part of our mission.”
The Brighter Christmas Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity, and tax-deductible donations, which also help other families in need on the Mid-Shore, may be sent to The Brighter Christmas Fund, c/o The Star Democrat, P.O. Box 600, Easton, MD 21601. For more information about the Fund, call 410-200-1884 or email bcf@chespub.com.