By Amanda O’Rourke
MIFFLINBURG — A fulltime job isn’t quite enough to make ends meet this Christmas for the Davis family.
Although Tieah’s husband, Duane, works full time at Leer in Milton, Tieah has returned to school to earn a degree in medical office technology, forcing her to cut back employment to just 20 hours a week.
Tieah enrolled at McCann School of Business and Technology to create a brighter future for her family. But she said they’re just not quite there yet.
“We just don’t have the money for anything extra,” Tieah said.
T h is C h r istmas, Tiea h’s daughters, Jessica, 9, and Caelin, 5, are asking for the typical children’s toys — video games and baby dolls.
“I said to my daughter, ‘We’re going to try to get you something for Christmas,’ and she said, ‘That’s OK. Santa will put presents under our tree,’” Tieah said. “I just wanted to cry.”
Despite her family’s challenges, Tieah tries to be thankful for what the family does have.
“We rent our place and at least we have a roof over our heads and we’re paying our bills,” she said. “We just don’t have the extras.” The Needy Family Fund, sponsored by The Daily Item, Sunbury Broadcasting Corp.
and Susquehanna Bank, in cooperation with Salvation Army citadels in Sunbury and Milton, raises money to help the less fortunate in the Valley during the holidays.
Today’s balance stands at $11,013.11.
Recent donors are Bill Miller, Elysburg, $150 ; Eugene and Joanne Semanchick, Lewisburg, $100; Dave Mull and Deb Fertig, Selinsgrove, $100; John and Melissa Covaleski, Lewisburg, $100; John Cooper, Selinsgrove, $50; Vivienne M. Richie, Northumberland, $50; Samuel and Sue Wood, Winfield, $20; and anonymous donations totaling $845.08.
-- E-mail comments to aorourke@dailyitem.com
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Needy Family Fund
Donations go to buy food, clothing and gifts for the less fortunate in the Valley. Contributions are
tax-deductible. The fund is sponsored by The Daily Item, Sunbury Broadcasting Corp. and
Susquehanna Bank. Contributions may be taken to any Susquehanna Bank office or mailed to:
Needy Family Fund
Susquehanna Bank
400 Market St.
Sunbury, PA 17801
2009 goal: $75,000
