Give to a good Claus

Monica Belser was despairing over her empty bankbook when she remembered her children’s words:

"It’s not the big things. It’s the little things that count the most," Belser said her three kids are fond of telling her.

Just as her children Jakia Sheppard, 4; Ashana Sheppard, 6; and Kadedria Belser, 9, brighten her spirits, Belser aches to light up Christmas for them.

But it will take more than a visit to Santa Claus.

The family of five — which includes Jakia and Ashana’s father, Ervin Sheppard — lives in a one-bedroom apartment on the 1300 block of South Hicks Street.

Sheppard, a dialysis patient, currently pays the electric bill for the entire two-story house just to ensure his family has heat, Belser said. With a broken heater and tenants purchasing individual heaters, the bill has become expensive, she added.

But since the electric was turned off twice last year and Belser’s daughter, Kadedria, suffers from asthma, they have had no choice.

The mother uses her assistance check for necessities, but has little left over.

And since Belser and Sheppard are determined to move out of their apartment by the beginning of the year, it will be nearly impossible to afford gifts for their children.

"We decided we are just going to go ahead and move, so we can’t afford to get our kids anything because we have to get out of here," Belser said.

Although this year has been more difficult than last, her children are appreciative for what they have, Belser said.

They tell her, "It’s the thought that counts. We have a good mommy and daddy," she said.

Aside from families, local charities also are feeling the squeeze this season.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Catholic Social Services, which serves residential group homes and family service centers, has experienced a dropoff in aid. Renee Hudson, assistant administrator for CSS, reported a low number of donations for Thanksgiving in South Philadelphia.

"We were only able to help about 50 families when we usually help closer to 200 families," she said.

And the turnout for Christmas has been at the same pace. Only four agencies have offered to provide enough help for 30 families. Hudson predicts CSS will assist at least 50 families by Christmas, but that’s far fewer than the roughly 200 they help each year.

"We are in difficult economic times. People aren’t as giving as they used to be," Hudson said. "If people are facing financial difficulty, then that affects us and the families we serve."

But one thing won’t change this season — CSS will still host the Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children. The 49th annual event will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel. More than 400 children who are clients of the agency will receive a special gift from their social workers.

Donations also have been harder to come by at Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, 2319 Fitzwater St. The church fed about 160 people on Thanksgiving, but the feast remained in question until the last minute.

"We asked the congregation to donate and bring food. In the end, they came through, but the process took longer than previous years," said Pam Prophet, executive assistant and church administrator. "Although they did it at the last minute, we exceeded our goal above and beyond."

The church, which relies strictly on donations, adopted a shelter to feed for Thanksgiving and gave 50 baskets to community residents. But Greater St. Matthew also helps its neighbors year-round.

"Throughout the winter season, not just during the holidays, if someone calls and needs food or coats for their families, we provide it for them," Prophet said.

At least one area church is reporting a very charitable Christmas.

"We haven’t experienced a downturn. As a matter of fact, we are growing," said Rick Smail, pastor of Messiah Christian Fellowship, 2311 S. 13th St.

The church, which receives weekly collections, fed 36 people for Thanksgiving. And Smail believes that number will double for Christmas.

One of the biggest local holiday fundraisers was held Friday at Finnigan’s Wake, Third and Spring Garden streets. Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers held its 10th annual Toys and Turkeys event to benefit needy families.

The four-hour party, costing $30 a head, raised more than $30,000. In addition, guests brought unwrapped toys that will be donated to the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program, which distributes 11.4 million gifts annually.

"The money raised goes toward purchasing food, toys and clothes for needy families," said Frank Keel, communication consultant for the event.

The event is the brainchild of John J. Dougherty, business manager of Local 98.

"When John took over Local 98, he realized a need to be more active in charitable causes," Keel said. "He started this tradition for people who were suffering and hurting and it gets bigger every year."

Dougherty also is the president of Pennsport Civic Association, which is distributing Christmas gifts to needy families.

To give or receive

Many area charities are seeking donations of gifts, food and more this holiday season. Here are a few places to drop off holiday goodies:

* Catholic Social Services at three family center locations: 1941 Christian St., 227 N. 18th St. and 6214 Grays Ave.

* Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, 2319 Fitzwater St. For more information or to request donations, call 215-790-4754

* Messiah Christian Fellowship, 2311 S. 13th St. 215-334-7440.

* Pennsport Civic Association, 1837 S. Second St. 215-462-9764.

* Hawthorne Cultural Center, 1200 Carpenter St. 215-545-8602 or 215-735-1225.