By: Cynthia Williamson
DELAWARE The Jingle Elves are asking for help for Santa once again.
For the fifth consecutive year, Dianne Rankin is assembling her elves to make the holidays joyous for the township’s neediest residents.
Through the generosity of others, Jingle Elves is hoping to fill the wish lists of a dozen families and as many individuals.
"It’s important other people have a wonderful Christmas and holidays just like we have with our families," said Mrs. Rankin, who began Jingle Elves in 1997 out of a "passion" she has for helping others less fortunate than herself.
"This year we need more than ever to celebrate our holidays and share in the spirit of the season," said Mrs. Rankin, referring to the Sept. 11 terrorist attack that devastated a nation but also brought it closer together. "It has always been a part of our American heritage to extend a helping hand."
Mrs. Rankin begins sending out "family wish list" and "grocery wish list" letters in early November to past Jingle Elves recipients and to those families and individuals she is aware of who are struggling to make ends meet or are ill or elderly.
From the responses, Mrs. Rankin makes individual gift tags and places them at the Delaware Township municipal building, where residents and others can select a tag and purchase the gift. There are 250 gift tags this year, she noted.
Mrs. Rankin coordinates with the Sergeantsville United Methodist Church and its food pantry to fulfill requests Jingle Elves receives for groceries.
Jingle Elves also is seeking donations of brand new items as well as money that would be used to purchase such things as gift certificates and poinsettia plants that are given to families who lost relatives during the year.
In past years, Jingle Elves fulfilled the lifelong dream of a now-deceased elderly resident by arranging for him to take a ride in a vintage biplane. They also have arranged for volunteers to make minor home improvements and repair a youngster’s bicycle.
Jingle Elves has used monetary donations to purchase such items as computers, printers and scanners, which were given to two families in 1999.
This year Jingle Elves will be contributing toward a brand new washing machine on one family’s wish list and purchasing a bicycle for a teen-age boy who needs it to get to his job.
Mrs. Rankin will be taking several of the township’s senior citizens to a restaurant for lunch because "that’s what they wanted to do," she explained.
She also has arranged for the township’s Girl Scout troops to bake cookies and make crafts with mentally handicapped citizens residing at a group home in the township.
"It makes me feel good," Mrs. Rankin said. "That’s why I do it."
The Jingle Elves also includes Mrs. Rankin’s husband, Eric, and their son, Derek, 15, and others who pitch in to help when needed.
Their "reward" for the countless hours they devote to make the holidays merrier for others is from the notes and letters they receive from Jingle Elves beneficiaries.
"Thank you for your consideration and the lovely gifts you gave to my son and I," wrote a single mother. "The shirts for my son are a great help towards his winter clothing, and the Blockbuster certificates were a hit."
A family wrote to thank Jingle Elves for making a "dark time brighter than you can imagine."
The author of another letter wrote, "You have restored my faith in humanity through your efforts."
Another encouraged Jingle Elves to "keep on jingling."
It’s not all about receiving. Some of the Jingle Elves recipients also are in the spirit of giving but cannot due to their limited funding. So Mrs. Rankin will have gift tags available this year for items costing from between $10 and under one dollar.
Anyone wishing to participate should stop by the municipal building at 570 Rosemont-Ringoes Road in Sergeantsville between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Checks for monetary donations should be made payable to The Jingle Elves or the Sergeantsville United Methodist Church.
For further information about Jingle Elves, contact Mrs. Rankin at (908) 782-9601 or e-mail her at [email protected]. Donations may be mailed to The Jingle Elves, in care of Mrs. Rankin, 174 Ferry Road, Flemington, 08822.
