Started in 1995, Pennies from Heaven is a non-profit organization in which the objective is to provide Christmas gifts for needy children in Clarion County .

Vowinckel’s dream was to have a visit from Santa Claus for kids who “wouldn’t otherwise get one.”

In its first year, Vowinckel delivered gifts to 40 children. Through the years, the numbers quickly rose and eventually the organization, with the help of Walt Shattenberg, became 501c3 licensed, developed a board of directors and became incorporated.

Each year the non-profit grew with size and donations and Vowinckel could move ahead with plans.

In 2006, PFH saw its highest numbers providing gifts for 621 children in Clarion County from 310 families.

In 12 years, PFH delivered Christmas gifts to approximately 4,311 children in Clarion County .

A new start

“After it ended, I felt horrible,” said Vowinckel who was left wondering what she was going to do with the extra time.

Eventually, Vowinckel reconciled with the fact that part of her life was over and it was time to move on.

But the decision left a void in the community and concerned residents were left wondering how area children and families in need would make the Christmas season a happy one.

Vowinckel said she had so many calls after the decision to end the program -- based in part on high gas prices and high unemployment rates -- people were worried about what they were going to do.

“It was a horrible year not to have it,” said Vowinckel. “I’m glad we are still able to help.”

That’s when Clara Belloit, with the Salvation Army, approached Vowinckel about keeping the program going.

It didn’t take much persuading to convince Vowinckel to dig her Santa hat out of the closet.

But that also meant starting over from scratch.

With the end of the program last year, Vowinckel had distributed her remaining inventory and monetary donations to various organizations around the county including Keystone SMILES, Clarion Free Library, Stop Abuse for Everyone, the United Way , PASSAGES, the American Red Cross, Even Start/Head Start and the Ross McGinnis Scholarship fund.

Without any inventory and a place to call home, Vowinckel had no choice but to keep the program bare bones by limiting the number of recipients and sticking with the basic necessities.

With a whole new board consisting of Vowinckel, Belloit, representatives from Community Action and Children and Youth Services and Barb Thompson, director, Clarion Free Library, Pennies from Heaven restarted last fall with its first meeting being held in September.

Community Action offered two rooms at its location near Clarion Agway.

John Kerle with Charitable Deeds and Services donated clothes purchased from Dollar General in Knox as well as toys and blankets.

The Dollar Tree in the Staples Plaza donated nearly 2,500 items and the United Way of Clarion County donated $1,500 toward the purchase of socks and underwear.

Clarion Ford Mercury and Clarion Chrysler Dodge Jeep also held a toy truck drive through Froggy 99.

“Until Dave (Eggleton) called, we didn’t have a whole lot of ‘toy toys,’” said Vowinckel. “The toy drive made it possible to pull books out, toys and stuffed animals and made it look like we had a whole lot more stuff.”

Clarion Chrysler Dodge Jeep and its sister store Clarion Ford Mercury also plan to give Pennies from Heaven a hand again this year with the truck toy drive and in other capacities.

“We’re helping Pennies from Heaven because it’s a great worthwhile cause for the Clarion area,” said Eggleton.

On distribution day, items were placed on tables in groups for socks, underwear and other amenities.

“We counted how many kids we had signed up and determined how many items they could get,” said Vowinckel.

Approximately 94 children from 41 families, received assistance during the 2007 Christmas holiday.

Money left over went toward the purchase of clothes and blankets for this year.

But Vowinckel still didn’t have a place to store her inventory or hold distribution day until a local business, which wishes to remain anonymous, stepped in and offered the use of its available space to store the inventory and to help with distribution day.

Vowinckel is incredibly grateful.

“(This person) really saved Pennies from Heaven,” said Vowinckel of the owner of the anonymous business.

Keeping it simple

“I just kept saying, were keeping it low key and see if we are going to do it again,” Vowinckel said about keeping the program as bare bones as possible.

Vowinckel plans on keeping the program smaller and needing less maintenance than before and is enjoying the simpler format.

This past year Vowinckel started from scratch to find families and children who qualified, targeting primarily the “working poor” who are trying to better themselves.

“I want to help those who are trying to help themselves,” said Vowinckel.

Ages are also limited to newborns through age 13.

“We’re trying to improve on what we did before, trying to add to it,” said Vowinckel.

Many people were turned away this year to lack of funds and low inventory.

In prior years, anyone who called could get assistance, as long as they weren’t taking advantage of the system. Vowinckel crosschecked names in their database to make sure those on the list were not receiving items from several sources. By narrowing its focus group and limiting the number people assisted, Vowinckel hopes to help those who are truly down on their luck.

“This was supposed to be a temporary thing,” said Vowinckel. “People who were laid off (work) before Christmas, are looking for a job, or will eventually look for another job or go to school.”

PFH also is no longer taking specific orders. What will be available is what PFH receives on trucks, found on sale, or donated.

“I don’t have to go, buy and pack it up anymore, it is so much easier,” said Vowinckel.

The items will be set up on tables and family members can come in with their card and pick out what they want from what is available.

“Parents were able to go in and Christmas shop,” said Vowinckel. “It seemed to go very well. “More like an old-fashioned type of Christmas, back to the necessities.”

To help raise funds, Charitable Deeds and Services will host a dinner March 29 to benefit Pennies from Heaven.

Anyone who wishes to help Pennies from Heaven can send donations and questions to: Pennies from Heaven, PO Box 222 , Clarion , Pa. , 16214 .