Photo submitted St. Marys Catholic Elementary kindergarten teacher Laura Kuntz is shown here with Harley, a beneficiary of the Christmas in Kentucky program.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

Once again donations are being sought for the “Christmas in Kentucky” program, created by Laura Kuntz of St. Marys.

For the past 13 years Kuntz, a kindergarten teacher at St. Marys Catholic Elementary School, has been making the 10 hour trip to Beattyville, Ky., in Lee County, where a local contact helps in distributing the donated gifts.

“I feel these people should have the opportunity to experience Christmas like many of us do,” Kuntz said. “This year I will be working with another organization that is collecting for the homeless families in Beattyville, as well as my original program with my social worker.”

Kuntz, along with the help of a Kentucky social worker, work together in compiling wish lists for numerous needy families.

Donations are being accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 25. Donors are asked to contribute brand-new items only, including toys and clothes. Items from all age groups, from children to adults, are being accepted – as well as any supplies such as wrapping paper, tape and gift tags.

In addition, monetary donations are also welcome. Checks should be made out to Kuntz, who uses the funds to purchase various items that were included on families’ wish lists, but were not received through donations.

In 1995, Kuntz began volunteering for Kentucky Work Week, a private organization started 34 years ago by Dr. David Pastrick of Pittsburgh. It was from this experience she had the idea to create the holiday program.

Each year, the Work Week volunteers travel to Kentucky for three to four weeks, usually in the summer, and repair homes for underprivileged families in the state. The organization consists of adult and high school volunteers throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Since then, the program has flourished through Kuntz’s efforts.

Those interested in donating a new, unused gift may drop them off at Kuntz’s residence at 586 Church St., or at the St. Marys Catholic Elementary School. For more information, contact Kuntz at 781-3613.