The ELF Fund got an early start Wednesday, and with a two-fold
increase in the number of people needing help this Christmas
season.

“We need to take this mission seriously,” said co-chairman
Christine Minich at the kickoff of the Era’s Less Fortunate Fund
program held at the DeSoto Holiday House.

Minich said an early start was necessary to meet unusual needs
in the community this year. So far, 540 applications for assistance
have been taken – 112 families, 312 children, 73 senior citizens in
need of gifts, and 43 in need of food.

Co-chairman Art Steinhauer gave the history of the holiday
effort, now in its 22nd year. Its primary aim is to provide gifts
and food to Bradford’s needy children, families and senior citizens
on Christmas morning.

It is jointly sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Bradford
Era.

This year, personalized ELF “tags” which identify a gift or
clothing need of an individual, will be limited to four locations –
CNB Bank, Northwest Savings and The Era, all on Main Street; and at
Wal-Mart in East Bradford, Minich said.

Gifts are purchased for an individual listed on the “tag,”
dropped off at ELF headquarters, and matched by the Salvation Army
and volunteers with the specific person.

Minich also outlined the food component of the program which has
been heavily supported by local companies. This year’s “menu”
includes 350 turkeys, hams or chicken and other items for a
Christmas meal such as instant potatoes (600 boxes), vegetables
(2,600 cans) and stuffing (600 boxes); and other items such as jars
of peanut butter and jelly, tuna fish, bread, juice and milk.

Along with its primary mission of helping children and senior
citizens at Christmas, the program has evolved into other
components over its two decades’ of existence.

Many were highlighted Wednesday:

– Harrijane Hannon, volunteer, outlined plans for the Dec. 18
tour of Bradford’s holiday lighting, provided each year for senior
citizens in the area. Buses are provided by the Area Transportation
Authority and the Bradford Area School District; the event
concludes with a Christmas party at the University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford.

– Capt. Debbie Weigner of the Salvation Army explained the
“Adopt a Family” program in which corporations, groups of
individuals, and schools can take on a hand-picked family and
provide personal assistance. “We pick the neediest of the needy,”
she said.

– Francie Ambuske, chairman of the Festival of Trees, said this
year’s event will be on the theme, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas
Tree,” with artists already in the process of decorating donated
rocking chairs and horses which will be auctioned off at a Nov. 17
event with funds going to the ELF Fund.

– Rusty Ransom, representing the Federal Correctional
Institution, McKean, said inmates have already crafted 70-80 wooden
toys for the program. Bradford Forest donates wood which inmates
make into a multitude of toys distributed to the ELF fund
children.

“Thanks for letting us participate. This program brings joy to
the inmates and staff,” he said. FCI McKean’s inmate culinary
program also bakes hundreds of cookies and gingerbread houses for
the senior citizens’ tour of holiday lighting.