A group of more than 60 children gathered Sunday afternoon at
the Pennhills Club and gave up some of their own presents to help
other, less fortunate children through the ELF (Era’s Less
Fortunate) Fund.
Santa Claus made an appearance to help collect toys for the ELF
Fund and animal supplies for the McKean County SPCA. On hand to
help collect the gifts and guide a few holiday activities for the
children who participated were senior ELF Fund coach Art
Steinhauer, ELF Fund coach Chris Minich and next year’s ELF Fund
coach Dusti Pantuso. Minich said the coaches are elected to
three-year terms, and this is the end of her second term.
“I think it’s great that children are giving to children,”
Minich said. “They’re giving up their gifts for children less
fortunate than they are.”
Jacob Sampson, a second grader, was one of the children at the
club that gave a gift to the ELF Fund. His mother used to be
involved in the ELF Fund, and he used to help her wrap the presents
to give. He said he liked helping to wrap presents, “but I got a
papercut,” he said.
Nadia Hull, 3, was another child that gave to the ELF Fund this
year. She said she gave two books and two stuffed animals that she
helped pick out.
Minich said Santa has many opportunities to visit, but the
children don’t have as many opportunities to give gifts to the ELF
Fund. She said there were a lot of children that helped out.
“We’re very appreciative of that,” Minich said.
Along with giving gifts to the ELF Fund, the children also had
the opportunity to make ornaments and crafts, visit Santa, buy
presents for their parents and other activities, which were a part
of the Pennhills Club’s annual Christmas party. Pictures of the
children with Santa were also provided by W.R. Case & Sons
Cutlery Co.
Minich said the ELF Fund has taken in more than 800 gifts so far
this year “because of people giving.”
“It’s wonderful what they give,” Pantuso said.
“From one to 99,” Minich said about the ages of all the people
that give to the ELF Fund.
“I cannot believe it how much the people of Bradford give,”
Pantuso said. “Bradford should be proud.”
