Formerly homeless family thankful for Salvation Army

Dec. 22—SHAMOKIN — Jessica and her family were homeless for nearly five months the day she walked into the Shamokin Salvation Army in November to sign up for the annual Here. For Good campaign.

Jessica, who had been living in her mother's backyard in a tent with her husband, their two minor children, their 21-year-old son and their 27-year-old son with special needs, spoke to Salvation Army employee Judy Orner, who quickly sprung into action.

"I went to sign up for Christmas, and she contacted a landlord she knew," she said. "We went to look at it, and we took it right away because we were sleeping in tents in the cold."

Jessica said she got into a dispute with her previous landlord in Dalmatia. After a tree fell on her dog, she said she cut the rest of the tree down. The veterinarian bill was $3,000 and the landlord gave her an eviction notice because he told her she had ruined the privacy line. The judge sided with the landlord, Jessica said.

"If it wasn't for Judy at the Salvation Army, we would still be homeless," said Jessica. "She is one of the nicest people you'll wan to meet. I couldn't ask for a nicer person than Judy. They're really great people at the Salvation Army and they do a really great job."

The family now lives in Shamokin in a rental unit and are looking forward to Christmas.

"My kids aren't really picky," said Jessica. "My (8-year-old) daughter likes Barbie dolls, my (14-year-old) son likes reading books."

The Here. For Good. campaign is a continuation of the Needy Family Fund which has raised more than $3.45 million since 1987 during the holiday season to help the Valley's families. This year's goal is $250,000.

Today's total is $114,093.31.

Recent donations were made by: John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, Lewisburg, $500; Bill and Jamie Lowthert, Lewiburg, $15; William and Phyllis Burns, Middleburg, $100; Robert and Rebecca Zimmerman, Sunbury, $100; Roy and Carol Moyer Community Trust, Northumberland, $500 and $450 in anonymous donations.

The campaign is administered by Salvation Army citadels in Milton and Sunbury and sponsored by The Daily Item, Sunbury Broadcasting Corp. and Mifflinburg Bank & Trust.

Donors can make checks payable to Here. For Good. Campaign and mail or drop them off at any location of program cosponsor Mifflinburg Bank & Trust. Donors also can mail a check to 250 E. Chestnut St., Mifflinburg, PA 17844, or donate online at www.hereforgoodcampaign.org.