Operation Holiday: ‘I’ll protect them to my last breath’; widow steps up for 5 grieving grandchildren

When Janine learned last fall that her five grandchildren had been living out of a car washing up in store bathrooms she didn’t hesitate. Her daughter-in-law had died of colon cancer in September 2024. The children’s father, Janine’s son, had been separated from his wife at the time. “I took my five grandchildren in,” she said. “I’m a widow living on Social Security, but I make sure they have everything before I do. I would protect them to my last breath. I’m a mama bear.” Her husband died of cancer in 2021. Her household now includes three granddaughters, ages 21, 19 and 17, and two grandsons, 12 and 10. “The boys have their own room, and the girls have theirs,” she said. “We’ve lost so much their grandfather, then their mother. We support each other.” Her youngest grandchildren struggle with a variety of challenges, and money is tight. “Thank God we’ve got food stamps and the pantry,” she said. “I don’t know how we’re going to do Christmas. I’m just trying to make ends meet.” She is behind on a couple of bills, she said, but is determined to keep the children safe and stable. “They have clothing and a roof over their heads, and love,” she said. “We all work together as a family.” A local senior group she attends a few times a week gives her emotional support and a brief moment to breathe. “Then I come home to my grandchildren,” she said. “We make it work.” Operation Holiday Operation Holiday was started in 1991 at The Mercury in Pottstown to help families going through tough times provide something for their children during the holidays. The mission of the program is to make sure there is food on the table and gifts under the tree when Christmas morning comes. Now in its 35th year, the program has served thousands of families throughout Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties, expanding its reach in recent years to include communities served by readers of the Reading Eagle, The Times Herald, The Reporter, Local News. Nearly $85,000 in donations last year provided gift cards to 366 children and grocery gift cards to 189 families, plus cash donations to food pantries in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties. This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 21 agencies in the tri-county area. Agencies have referred 199 families with 403 children for gifts and food. There is no overhead with Operation Holiday and all funds stay local. Funds are collected and audited in a nonprofit foundation account managed by staff of MediaNews Group who volunteer their time. Gift cards to area grocery stores are provided to each family for food, so that they can purchase the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry. Weis Markets is a partner with Operation Holiday and has assisted with food purchases and gift cards. Gift cards for every child in the program 16 years of age or younger are purchased through Boscov’s and distributed in partnership with the referring agencies so that families can purchase gifts of their choice. Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency. Operation Holiday is funded solely by reader contributions. All contributions are tax deductible. How to donate Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit and click on the link for Operation Holiday. Contributions also can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to PO Box 1181, Pottstown PA 19464; The Reporter, 34 Susquehanna Ave., Suite 100, Lansdale PA 19446; Operation Holiday, 1440 Lacrosse Ave., Reading PA 19607. The names of all contributors are published in the participating newspapers as donations are received. Please note whether a contribution should be designated as anonymous or given in tribute or in memory of someone.
https://www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/25/operation-holiday-ill-protect-them-to-my-last-breath-widow-steps-up-for-5-grieving-grandchildren/