BLOOMINGTON - Gina Cochran has never had to ask for help. That is, until the proud Bloomington resident was injured at work and her husband got laid off. | 10 ways you can help this year

"Eventually, we'll get through it," said Cochran, whose misfortunes occurred with two children at home and a mortgage to pay.

To help keep her head above water, she's accepted mortgage help from PATH (Providing Access To Help) and expects help through The Good Fellow Fund that is administered by The Pantagraph for the 81st year.

Cochran's family, including a son, 17, and daughter, 10, isn't eating as well as before, and she's hoping for a Good Fellow gift certificate to help with groceries. "We have a lot of macaroni and cheese," she said.

Karen Zangerle, executive director of PATH, thinks the poor economy will mean more people will need help for the first time.

Zangerle said those in low-paying service jobs may be particularly hard-hit if their hours get cut. "When you're getting by day-to-day, where do the Christmas toys for the kids come from?" Zangerle asked.

Good Fellow, which coordinates its year-round program with PATH, Home Sweet Home Mission, The Salvation Army, St. Mary's Church and Peace Meal, among others, helps in the area of Christmas gifts, too.

For example, 60 children from the Bloomington-Normal Boys & Girls Club will receive $25 gift cards to buy Christmas gifts for their caregivers.

There probably will be fewer Christmas presents this year in the Cochran house, and they're cutting corners any way they can. Gina Cochran already has cut down on birthday presents. "Nobody got new school clothes," she said.

She hasn't worked since mid-April because of a work-related injury to her right arm. She had surgery in mid-July and has physical therapy three times a week. "I can't lift my arm above my head, or lift more than three pounds," the union laborer said.

She was reluctant to ask for Good Fellow help, but she knew she must. She will be one of almost 2,500 people in Central Illinois helped by The Good Fellow Fund this holiday season.

In addition to the gift cards, grocery store certificates, fruit baskets and hams are distributed to more than 100 families and home-bound seniors. Another 2,400 blankets are given to seniors in area nursing homes. The program serves residents McLean, Ford, Livingston, Tazewell, Woodford, Logan and DeWitt counties.

Last year, about $47,000 was donated by Pantagraph readers. Program administrator Julie Chilton said no goal has been established this year. "The more money we raise, the more families that we can provide assistance to," Chilton said.

Early fundraising has been encouraging. Letters sent to 650 past donors at the end of October yielded $16,000 from 225 donors by mid-November, said Barry Winterland, The Pantagraph's general manager/controller and a Good Fellow trustee. He hopes the number of donors will go up this year to make up for decreased donations.

Starting Thanksgiving Day, the newspaper will publish names of donors who wish to be recognized.

The program began 81 years ago after a Pantagraph newsroom worker answered the phone on Christmas Eve and furnished an impoverished family with firewood and food.

Reporter Paul Swiech contributed to this story. To donate to Good Fellow Fund, clip and send the coupon on today's Pantagraph.

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Thanks

Excerpts from thank-you notes from a few of last year's Good Fellow Fund recipients:

We received one of your gift baskets. Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to all who participated with its distribution. We are both disabled now and must rely on finding help with everyday chores. The basket was such a surprise and blessing.

T&N, Bloomington

I would like to thank the Pantagraph for having standards (among) their employees and reporters. They all are very kind and care about people around them and have their eyes and hearts open always. I never thought in this day and age there were people out there who really cared and are kind and helpful. Thank you for making my Christmas and giving me back my smile and keeping me warm.

D, Bloomington

I just received a gift certificate from you for County Market. Words cannot express how very appreciative I am. For the last three years, I have been raising my grandchildren. Your gift has made things so much easier. I don't know how this came about, but it surely brought tears to my eyes.

M, Pontiac

You are all to be complimented on the classy way this project was handled. The blanket and items in the gift basket were practical, useful and needed items. The gift certificate will allow the purchase of items of suit my individual taste. These are the best Christmas gifts I have ever received. What is most amazing, they came from strangers. Again, I thank you.

L, Bloomington

I needed so many of these personal items but kept crossing them off my list as money had to go to prescriptions after my surgery. Just a few years ago, I was giving to funds like this, but now I am the receiver. This is a beautiful and generous community and I am so grateful I am here. Thank you so much.

J, Bloomington

I am retired and live on a fixed income so all the items will come in very handy. I am also handicapped, so this gift will save me from getting out in the bad weather to do shopping. Thank you again and may the good Lord bless and watch over ya'll always.

L, Bloomington