This time of year is often the most difficult for those who are the least fortunate in our communities. During this time of year children are bombarded commercials of the newest toys and with tales of Santa and gifts waiting underneath the tree. Children are filled with anticipation of Christmas morning. Unfortunately, when times are financially hard this time of year, parents are often filled with feelings of being defeater, depression, or desperation.
Thankfully, this time of year also brings out the best in people and stories of selfless acts to help those in need are abundant. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing that you brought a smile to a child’s face. Knowing that you gave a child the joy of waking up on Christmas morning to find that Santa did not forget their house this year cannot be fully described. Many times, those we help have no idea who helped them and the generous giver never gets to see the smiles. However, the feelings are none the less fulfilling and heartwarming.
Every year I have picked a family in my community to adopt for the holidays. This year is no different. Although my husband is unemployed and we have family members that we care for, we remain committed to helping again this year. Even if it is only a few gifts, we desire to do something to help a family. When I saw EdenFantasys’s Eden Gives Back Program I was excited at the possibility of teaming with Eden to help a family in need.
In our small mountain community nestled in the foothills of Virginia, it is not hard to find a family in need. The turning of the economy hit our area hard when the Factories in nearby town closed down. Now, most families find themselves struggling to find a new path. The family I picked to help is one of these families and this is their story.
If you were to drive by this mother walking to work, one cold morning, most people wouldn’t give her a second look. Even though most people in the community don’t know her name, in her small trailer park she is loving known as Momma. Momma is one of the numerous families shaken by the closing of the factories. Since her husband lost his job a few years ago, they have struggled to stay afloat and at times have even struggled to keep a roof over their children’s head. Dad works odd jobs when he can. Since they don’t have a car, Momma walks to work. She is happy to have finally found a house keeping job at a local hotel. They are one of the many poor families in our community, yet if you sit down and have a cup of her great coffee you would never know the struggles her family faces.
Momma’s whole family has an open feeling. If you ever stop by, their door is open and the coffee is hot and waiting. Within minutes of sitting down you feel right at home. Children are always buzzing around playing and neighbors often stop by. Some come by to chat. Some stop by to check on their children, who if they aren’t at home are sure to be at Momma’s. Others stop by because everyone knows if you need help Momma and her husband are the ones to turn to. Whether it is something that needs to be fixed or if you find yourself hungry, everyone knows they can count on Momma. Although this family struggles themselves, they are always ready willing to help anyone who finds themselves in need.
The Holidays are hard for this family, but they take it in stride. They know they can’t give their children the toys they dream of. Unfortunately, this is not the first year they have faced these tough choices. As painful as I can imagine it to be, Momma smiles as she shares her memories from last Christmas. “We don’t need fancy things to show our love. We don’t have to give the stores money to give each other gifts.” Momma glowed as she told me the stories of how they helped the children make gifts for each other. How they spent hours working on their special surprises. “Santa only brings one gift” she explains. It is clear that this family is full of love and not resentment over their situation. They seem to happily take it all in stride.
Momma and her family are a blessing to all those who know them. This season I hope give a bit of that blessing back. After I choose to adopt her family this year, I saw Stormy’s post about the wonderful Eden Gives Back program and their call for volunteers. I could not resist sharing Momma’s and the possibility of partnering with Eden to help them this Holiday Season. With us teaming up together I am sure the children will know Santa did not forget them this year.
This family has three children:
Boy 1 who is eight. He loves books and enjoys building things.
Boy 2 who is 6. He loves cars and trucks and dreams of the day he can have a bike.
Girl 1 who is 3. She loves soft back books and dolls.
The kids are like virtually all children. They love electronics and toys. They don’t have electronics or a video game console. They don’t even have bikes. It is my goal to buy them gifts, bikes, winter coats, and so much more.
Thankfully, this time of year also brings out the best in people and stories of selfless acts to help those in need are abundant. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing that you brought a smile to a child’s face. Knowing that you gave a child the joy of waking up on Christmas morning to find that Santa did not forget their house this year cannot be fully described. Many times, those we help have no idea who helped them and the generous giver never gets to see the smiles. However, the feelings are none the less fulfilling and heartwarming.
Every year I have picked a family in my community to adopt for the holidays. This year is no different. Although my husband is unemployed and we have family members that we care for, we remain committed to helping again this year. Even if it is only a few gifts, we desire to do something to help a family. When I saw EdenFantasys’s Eden Gives Back Program I was excited at the possibility of teaming with Eden to help a family in need.
In our small mountain community nestled in the foothills of Virginia, it is not hard to find a family in need. The turning of the economy hit our area hard when the Factories in nearby town closed down. Now, most families find themselves struggling to find a new path. The family I picked to help is one of these families and this is their story.
If you were to drive by this mother walking to work, one cold morning, most people wouldn’t give her a second look. Even though most people in the community don’t know her name, in her small trailer park she is loving known as Momma. Momma is one of the numerous families shaken by the closing of the factories. Since her husband lost his job a few years ago, they have struggled to stay afloat and at times have even struggled to keep a roof over their children’s head. Dad works odd jobs when he can. Since they don’t have a car, Momma walks to work. She is happy to have finally found a house keeping job at a local hotel. They are one of the many poor families in our community, yet if you sit down and have a cup of her great coffee you would never know the struggles her family faces.
Momma’s whole family has an open feeling. If you ever stop by, their door is open and the coffee is hot and waiting. Within minutes of sitting down you feel right at home. Children are always buzzing around playing and neighbors often stop by. Some come by to chat. Some stop by to check on their children, who if they aren’t at home are sure to be at Momma’s. Others stop by because everyone knows if you need help Momma and her husband are the ones to turn to. Whether it is something that needs to be fixed or if you find yourself hungry, everyone knows they can count on Momma. Although this family struggles themselves, they are always ready willing to help anyone who finds themselves in need.
The Holidays are hard for this family, but they take it in stride. They know they can’t give their children the toys they dream of. Unfortunately, this is not the first year they have faced these tough choices. As painful as I can imagine it to be, Momma smiles as she shares her memories from last Christmas. “We don’t need fancy things to show our love. We don’t have to give the stores money to give each other gifts.” Momma glowed as she told me the stories of how they helped the children make gifts for each other. How they spent hours working on their special surprises. “Santa only brings one gift” she explains. It is clear that this family is full of love and not resentment over their situation. They seem to happily take it all in stride.
Momma and her family are a blessing to all those who know them. This season I hope give a bit of that blessing back. After I choose to adopt her family this year, I saw Stormy’s post about the wonderful Eden Gives Back program and their call for volunteers. I could not resist sharing Momma’s and the possibility of partnering with Eden to help them this Holiday Season. With us teaming up together I am sure the children will know Santa did not forget them this year.
This family has three children:
Boy 1 who is eight. He loves books and enjoys building things.
Boy 2 who is 6. He loves cars and trucks and dreams of the day he can have a bike.
Girl 1 who is 3. She loves soft back books and dolls.
The kids are like virtually all children. They love electronics and toys. They don’t have electronics or a video game console. They don’t even have bikes. It is my goal to buy them gifts, bikes, winter coats, and so much more.
