by Sylene Argent
While the holiday season is a time for giving, Border Cities Polish Club former President, Fred Pernal, and former Vice President, Paul Pearz, took the time to forward a generous $2,000 donation to the Essex Salvation Army last Friday evening.
Major Sam Roberts of the Essex Salvation Army was pleased to accept the donation amidst the local Church’s Kettle and Letter Campaigns, where there is a goal to raise $80,000 this holiday season to support its Christmas Hamper project, in addition to the programs it provides for local individuals and families in need all year long.
The $2,000, Roberts said, will go a long way in helping to fund the Essex Salvation Army’s Christmas Hamper program, which provides a Christmas meal and toys to area families and individuals facing economic stress.
Pernal and Pearz noted the Border Cities Polish Club was established in 1931 as a non-profit organization. It had a mandate to provide social and cultural interactions with the Polish community and help others through charitable donations.
Both the representatives of the Border Cities Polish Club have ties to Essex, so they were especially pleased to make the donation to Major Roberts. They noted other donations would be made throughout the region as well.
Though Pernal is the immediate former President of the Border Cities Polish Club, Pearz held that position for several years previously.