Venango County’s outreach program is partnering with some area churches to donate gifts to hundreds of children in the child welfare system.
Caseworkers identified 197 children through a variety of county programs, said Matt Haines, outreach program coordinator for the county. Their ages range from three months to 18 years.
Last year, Atlantic Avenue United Brethren Church in Franklin partnered with the county on the effort. Two more churches – Cranberry Community Church and the Oil City Vineyard Church – stepped in to help this year, Haines said.
Cranberry Community Church recently opened at the Cranberry Mall.
Oil City Vineyard Church filed Sept. 3 as a non-profit and its location is listed as 619 Innis St.
Caseworkers and families compiled the children’s gift lists, and many of the youngsters requested basic items such as comforters for beds, Haines said.
“There truly is a need for the basics … things people take for granted,” he said.
Church parishioners are buying the gifts and county workers will drop them off to the children the week before Christmas, Haines said.
Additionally, anyone who would like to donate to the effort may contact Haines via email at mhaines@co.venango.pa.us.
“The families are always very appreciative,” Haines said.
