As the holidays draw near and we reflect upon our blessings, we hope that you will join us in spreading good will and holiday cheer to a local family in need. Last year, we were fortunate to help a local family in so many ways. When we first learned of their need, they were a family of four, sleeping together on a mattress with no bedding. And, while the father worked, there just wasn't enough money to buy needed items for the kitchen or home. And, the kids had never had presents from Santa. Through the kindness and generosity of many, we were able to provide bunk beds for the boys, complete with new mattresses and new bedding. We gave them many things for their home and lots of gifts from Santa for the boys. The mom and dad were very humble and overwhelmed with gratitude. When we asked if we could help them again this year, the mom said that, while she'd love our help, she'd rather that we help her sister's family.

Her sister's family of five sleep together on a piece of spongy foam. Kind friends have already donated a fouton for the three children to sleep on. Below, please find some ways you can donate to help. We will happily take cash donations to put toward the largest need- a mattress and frame for mom and dad! 

(For those who've asked about the wish list for the family we helped last year, I've added it at the bottom of this post!)

Items in RED have been received- thank you!

Mom
winter coat, size large (received mid weight jacket, sweater)
hat/gloves
pillow
king-sized sheet set
king-sized blanket
king-size wooden bed platform

Dad
winter coat, size large
hat/gloves
received jacket and sweater
pillow

Son, age 8
clothing size 10/12 or boys medium (shoe size 4)
likes anything soccer related, received Nerf bow and arrow, maze globe
needs a winter coat and hat/gloves
pillow and pillowcase
kids blanket
full-size sheets, kid-friendly (for the fouton that the three kids share to sleep on)

Daughter, age 6
clothing size 7 (shoe size 13)
loves Frozen, horses and soccer (received Frozen bracelet and necklace, Frozen book, Frozen memory, Frozen Anna Barbie-like doll, Our Generation doll)
may like clothes/accessories for Our Generation doll or a PJ set with matching nightgown for child and doll
needs a winter coat and hat/gloves
pillow and pillowcase
kids blanket

Son, age 2
clothing size 3T or 4T
loves Disney's Cars and Disney's Planes (received Cars DVD, Floating car and plane, Little People helicopter)
needs a winter coat and hat/gloves
pillow and pillowcase
kids blanket

Last year's family:

Mom (works cleaning houses)

• Food Lion/Aldi gift card
• anything religious (Christian)
• warm gloves, hat, scarf
• small canvas tote
• candle
• warm throw blanket 
• purse 
• pajamas

Dad (works in construction)

• lined jacket to stay warm with work outside, size large
• gloves
• warm outdoor socks

Son (age 13, high school sophomore)

•  dress shirt (men's small)
• tie
• 30 x 32 pants
• would appreciate any age-appropriate gift
• maze globe 
• Kindle Fire

Son (age 5, in kindergarten)

• needs size 7/8 clothes (received a coat)
• loves Thomas the Train and Superheroes (received motorcyles)
• he is asking Santa for a toy trains, a basketball and Thomas the Train movies



As the holidays draw near and we reflect upon our blessings, we hope that you will join us in spreading good will and holiday cheer to a local family in need. Last year, we were fortunate to help a local family in so many ways. When we first learned of their need, they were a family of four, sleeping together on a mattress with no bedding. And, while the father worked, there just wasn't enough money to buy needed items for the kitchen or home. And, the kids had never had presents from Santa. Through the kindness and generosity of many, we were able to provide bunk beds for the boys, complete with new mattresses and new bedding. We gave them many things for their home and lots of gifts from Santa for the boys. The mom and dad were very humble and overwhelmed with gratitude. When we asked if we could help them again this year, the mom said that, while she'd love our help, she'd rather that we help her sister's family.

Her sister's family of five sleep together on a piece of spongy foam. Kind friends have already donated a fouton for the three children to sleep on. Below, please find some ways you can donate to help. We will happily take cash donations to put toward the largest need- a mattress and frame for mom and dad! 

(For those who've asked about the wish list for the family we helped last year, I've added it at the bottom of this post!)

Items in RED have been received- thank you!

Mom
winter coat, size large
hat/gloves
pillow
king-sized sheet set
king-sized blanket
king-size wooden bed platform

Dad
winter coat, size large
hat/gloves
pillow

Son, age 8
clothing size 10/12 or boys medium (shoe size 4)
likes anything soccer related
needs a winter coat and hat/gloves
pillow and pillowcase
kids blanket
full-size sheets, kid-friendly (for the fouton that the three kids share to sleep on)

Daughter, age 6
clothing size 7 (shoe size 13)
loves Frozen, horses and soccer (received Frozen bracelet and necklace)
needs a winter coat and hat/gloves
pillow and pillowcase
kids blanket

Son, age 2
clothing size 3T or 4T
loves Disney's Cars and Disney's Planes (received Cars DVD, Floating car and plane)
needs a winter coat and hat/gloves
pillow and pillowcase
kids blanket

Last year's family:

Mom (works cleaning houses)

• Food Lion/Aldi gift card
• anything religious (Christian)
• warm gloves, hat, scarf
• small canvas tote
• candle
• warm throw blanket

Dad (works in construction)

• lined jacket to stay warm with work outside, size large
• gloves
• warm outdoor socks

Son (age 13, high school sophomore)

•  dress shirt (men's small)
• tie
• 30 x 32 pants
• would appreciate any age-appropriate gift

Son (age 5, in kindergarten)

• needs size 7/8 clothes (received a coat)
• loves Thomas the Train and Superheroes (received Superman toy)
• he is asking Santa for a toy trains, a basketball and Thomas the Train movies



Over the years, I've been fortunate to be able to deliver or help deliver lots of gifts to those in need at Christmas. Many times, it's the result of the generosity of friends, family and neighbors that bring smiles to those in need. This year, with the help of many friends, neighbors and folks in the community, we were able to help four families and two seniors at Christmas. As someone who sees the gratitude at the time of delivery, my thanks go out to all who've helped in any way.

This year, the family in this blog post touched me like no other. They are a family of four. When we first learned of their situation through their Head Start case worker, they were all sleeping on a queen sized mattress with no comforter or pillows. They live in a tiny apartment in Westminster with the mattress and a kitchen table as their only furniture. Their faith is evident in the few wall adornments and in conversation. They are humble and kind and grateful for the few things they have.

We first delivered a set of bunk beds for the brothers, complete with new mattresses, sheets, pillows and Ninja Turtle and Superhero comforters. The youngest brother (pre-K) was over the moon when we arrived and wanted to be a part of the assembly process. The older brother (8th grade) was more reserved but his excitement was palpable. While there, we peppered them with questions of what they like and need. The little brother showed us his favorite things (How To Train Your Dragon movie and Ninja Turtles) and showed us the projects he made in pre-K. He was proud of his family Christmas tree, which consisted of what appeared to be a branch of a fir tree, placed in a pot with paper decorations made by him.

When we returned on December 22nd, only mom was home. She first showed us the beds again. She said the boys once saw a picture of bunk beds and said it was their dream to have beds like that. Since receiving the beds, she said they tell everyone about them and the little brother even puts himself to bed in the middle of the day because he is so happy to have his own bed.

When mom saw the abundance of gifts we had brought for her family, she was overcome with emotion and gratitude. She blessed us (and everyone who helped) many times over. There were many tears shed by all. She said they had never been given so much and had never had gifts at Christmas. She told us the boys had written a letter to Santa and they were waiting for him to pick it up. She didn't think Santa was going to pick up the letter but, after seeing the gifts, she said Santa would be able to pick up the letter to see their wishes. Initially, she wanted to give us credit for providing the gifts. We repeatedly assured her to tell the boys the presents were from Santa and/or her and her husband. She was overwhelmed and said she felt like she was in a dream and didn't want to wake up. Mom said they had had many hardships over the last year and that this Christmas was going to help make things a bit better for them.

The picture below shows the gifts in their living area. The tiny "tree" is hidden in the background by the packages. The picture doesn't show the gently-used kitchen items (casseroles, pyrex bowls, etc), the gently used clothes or the kids chair we delivered. When we returned to drop off the $140 Food Lion gift card, Mom was already pleased to be using her new kitchen items to prepare dinner.

The family has a very small living area. My hope would be to find a way to provide them with a very gently used or new sofa/loveseat for the area in the coming months. Given the size, we'd have to verify the seating arrangement would fit. If anyone, has any connections for something like this, please let me know.

I wish everyone who helped make this special Christmas happen for this family could have been present to witness the overwhelming emotion and gratitude from this very kind, humble and faithful family. Thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart!

As the holidays draw near and we reflect on our blessings, we hope that you will join us in spreading good will and holiday cheer to a family in need.

This family of four lives in a small one-bedroom apartment. Dad works. Son, D, is 4 years old and loves Pre-K. He speaks English and Spanish. Son, M, is 12, is also bilingual and is in the 7th grade. The family currently sleeps together on a queen size mattress with no comforter or pillows. D does not have a winter coat that fits and M is in need of shoes. They have little in the way of cookware or dishes.

Their caseworker brought them to our attention to see if we could help. Initially, while overjoyed that some folks would "adopt" them for the holidays, they were so very humble and did not want to ask for anything specific (when we inquired). We later persuaded them to share with us how we can best help them.

We have since found a bunk bed set for the boys to share (no mattresses yet).

After speaking with them through an interpreter, we've come up with a list of basic wants/needs that you'll find below. Please feel free to help as little or as much as you'd like. Cash donations are also welcome so that we may provide them with mattresses and/or grocery store gift cards to buy food for the holidays (or other necessities as well). Please feel free to pass donations to either of us (in the box to the right) by December 18th or contact us with any questions. Thanks, in advance, for spreading Christmas cheer with us!


Items in RED have been received- thank you!

Mom 

• queen size comforter (blue is favorite color)
• standard size bed pillow
• queen size sheet set
• cookware, received 2-quart covered saucepan, 5-quart covered pot, serving spoons, baking dish, colander
• dishes, received 2 covered serving dishes, 2 serving bowls, still need everyday dishes/bowls
• wears size large or 12 pants and large top, received off-white casual top
• Food Lion/Aldi gift card

Dad

• standard size bed pillow
• size 32 pants
• large shirt/sweater 

D, age 4

• twin size mattress
• twin sheets and blanket (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Superhero theme?)
• pillow
• PJs, size 6 (would love Ninja Turtles or Superhero theme)
• winter coat, size 6
• How to Train Your Dragon 2 DVD
• Leap Frog educational DVD 
• wears size 6 pants and 7 shirt, received ninja turtle sweatshirt and superman shirt/cap
• ninja turtle or incredible hulk toys (or other 4 year old boy toys!)  - some ninja turtle and hulk toys received

 M, age 12

• twin size mattress
• twin sheets and blanket (also likes Ninja Turtles)
• pillow
• size 8 1/2 tennis shoes
• soccer ball
• football 
• nerf basketball/net
• ninja turtle legos
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie DVD- not released until 12/16!
• 29x30 khaki pants
• mens size small shirts, received ninja turtle t-shirt
• Ninja turtle lounge pants