Donations sought to help children who have been through 'unimaginable circumstances'

A New Kensington business is seeking donations and contributions from the community to help children from three families who have endured horror and hardship this year have a happy Christmas.

Operation Christmas Memories was started 15 years ago by The Beermuda, which is now Ash Taphouse and owned by Jenn Toney, Beermuda’s former manager.

The restaurant was damaged by a fire in October 2022.

“We lost a lot of our donors with the change and taking last year off,” said Tara Salem, manager of Ash Taphouse.

Even as they work to rebuild, Salem said, they are focusing the efforts of Operation Christmas Memories this year on three families “who have been through unimaginable circumstances.”

“We believe that every child deserves a memorable Christmas, regardless of the challenges they have faced,” Toney said.

Four children from Boggs Township lost their parents in a murder-suicide in April. There are three girls, ages 1, 4 and 9, and a 9-year-old boy.

“These four children had to leave everything behind and were not able to get a single item or piece of clothing from their home,” Salem said.

Salem said their mother’s high school best friend took temporary custody of the children and is trying for full custody “as initially no one else was willing to take them and keep them together.”

Two Hyde Park teens, a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl, lost their father last month. He died while waiting for a kidney transplant.

“They were already struggling, as dad was very sick waiting on a lifesaving transplant, but sadly he died before he found a match,” Salem said.

A New Kensington family now has nine children in total, ranging from 6 months to 17. The parents, with four children of their own, took in five siblings who were removed from their home so they would not be separated.

“Dad works two jobs,” Salem said.

Salem said they are asking for donations, no matter how small, of money, gift cards, toys, clothes and shoes. There is an angel tree at Ash Taphouse and a wish list on Amazon.

While there is no deadline for donations, Toney said, they deliver gifts on Christmas Eve or Dec. 23.

“It is our mission to ensure that these families and their children experience the magic of Christmas despite their difficult situations,” Toney said. “We want to bring smiles to their faces and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles.”