MILTON -- With three young children, including a newborn daughter, Christy Kern has her hands full.

The single Milton mother says her Christmas wish is for her sons, 4 and 2, and newborn girl to have some presents to open.

She hopes the Needy Family Fund can help make that wish come true.

"Last year, it helped so much," Kern said. "The kids got blocks, clothes and some toys. They really enjoyed it."

Kern said this year she hopes to get more clothes, especially for the newest family member.

"I really don't have many clothes for her," Kern said. "With two boys, I'm not able to hand much down to her."

For herself, Kern said she just wants to see Christmas come alive.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing them open gifts," Kern said. "The boys are getting to that age when they're so much fun to watch. Seeing them smile really makes me happy."

The Needy Family Fund -- sponsored by The Daily Item, Sunbury Broadcasting Corp. and Susquehanna Bank -- raises money during the holiday season for less fortunate Valley families.

The fund is administered by the Salvation Army citadels in Milton and Sunbury.

Nearly $120,000 was raised last year for the Needy Family Fund, which has raised $1.5 million over the past 21 years. The account balance stands at $25,365.

Recent donors were as follows: Mifflinburg Club 39 Seniors, $100; Velma Y. Ruhl, Mifflinburg, $35; Stewart and Barbara Eisenhuth, Mifflinburg, $25; John and Romany Fisher, Port Trevorton, $50; Derek J. Fisher, Port Trevorton, $25; Patricia G. Thomas, Sunbury, $25; Donald and Mary Lee Murray, Lewisburg, $100; R&R McCardle, Middleburg, $100; Bob and Sandy George, Lewisburg, $50; Milton and Ruth House, Mifflinburg, $200; George and Lena Weigel, Middleburg, $100; Susan Hegberg, Selinsgrove, $50; Sis and Bud Sanders, in memory of Kay Phillips McGough, Lewisburg, $50; Joseph and Jeanne Desantis, Danville, $200; Delroy and Sandra Strohecker, Herndon, $50; Hampton and Helen Huff, Freeburg, $100; Richard and Judith Moyer, Port Trevorton, $100; Dianna and Roger Spickler, Lewisburg, $100; employees of Amity Leasing C.S. Inc., Northumberland, $50; St. John's Lutheran Altar Guild, Snydertown, $200; Merle and Helen Phillips, Sunbury, $500; and anonymous gifts, $290.

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