Editor:

My name is Cheryl O’Neil, director of CareLink RDC. Roughly 13 years ago I started The Giving Program for families in need in York County. Believe it or not many people in York County are barely making ends meet. CareLink services many of these low-income families. It really does take a village to raise a child. 

The people eligible for The Giving Program are the same people you see every day of your life, the clerk at the CVS store, or the waitress at the local diner. It might be the guy pumping your gas or the teller at your bank. It could be the person that just got layed-off or the teen mother. More and more now days grandparents are raising their grandchildren because of various situations that they did not anticipate at this stage in their lives. Some families are single parent households, some have disabled loved ones, or special needs children. Some families are everyday people doing their best but need a little help. Some of the families are enrolled in education programs or job training opportunities. Some of these families are you and I, our neighbors, the parents of our children’s friends, people we interact with everyday.

Everyone at some point needs help. Think back and I am sure you will remember that kind person that was there at the time you needed them with an encouraging word, or a short-term loan, or maybe it was the person that helped you fix your flat tire, we all have someone to thank. People that we may not have known their name and it did not matter because we remember how they made us feel in a time of need.

Now it is your chance to be that person in a time of need. Please help us help the magic of Christmas come alive for children!

CareLink Resource Development Center (RDC) is a non-profit state contracted agency that receives state and federal funding. CareLink offers assistance to all of York County as well as contributing on a state level. CareLink’s goal is to be an essential link between families and children, the community, social services agencies, businesses, and educational facilities. We strive to participate and stimulate growth in quality childcare, financial security, healthy families, and a thriving community.

CareLink has been servicing York County for almost 20 years.

Thank you so much for caring and helping in this time of need by participating in The Giving Program.

Cheryl O’Neil

Director of CareLink RDC