Case 27
As the weather continues to drop, Nora’s current situation is becoming more concerning. This last year she’s been living in her car, relying on it now more than ever to keep her warm during these cold winter months. The car has begun to fall apart — one of the doors doesn’t close and now the inside of her home and only form of shelter is getting flooded. As an older adult, her already fixed income goes toward gas to keep the heat running and daily food purchases since she has no way to cook or store most things she buys. A gift of $1,500 would allow Nora to get the car repairs she needs and keep her safe during the upcoming season.
Case 28
Between raising five children on her own, taking care of her sick father, working full-time, and everything else in between, Sage has fallen behind on car maintenance. Recently, she was able to move her family out of a shelter and into a more permanent home, which also meant taking on more bills. At the same time, her father fell ill, making her his primary caretaker. Sage is a hardworking single mother who is recognized by those in her life as someone who does everything she can for her family and friends. A gift of $1,500 would cover the cost of maintenance to keep her car running and provide a reliable source of transportation for her and her family.
Case 29
Chronic pain greatly affects Debbie’s day-to-day life. Muscle aches, shooting pain, weakness, and numbness are just a few of the side effects caused by her medical condition. The pain has gotten progressively worse, impacting her ability to keep up with the demands of her part-time job. Her doctor has decided to perform back surgery in hopes of finally providing her some relief, but this would leave Debbie without the income she relies on each month. A gift of $800 would alleviate some of the financial stress she’ll be under for the coming months and give Debbie peace of mind during her healing process.
Case 30
Shelly is not afraid of a challenge and has overcome many obstacles throughout her life. As described by a friend, “When things look impossible, she relies on faith to get her through.” She has four children, all of whom live with her, including the oldest daughter who has disabilities that require Shelly to be her primary caregiver. Despite consistently having a tight budget, she always makes sure her bills are paid in full and on time, but as time goes on, this is becoming harder to make happen each month. A gift of $800 would give Shelly some breathing room to purchase groceries and other household necessities.
Case 31
The holidays are a quiet time of year for Lenny. With one brother in a nursing home and the other living far away, he hasn’t seen most of his family in almost five years. People who know him would describe him as a private older gentleman who enjoys his solitude and often shies away from reaching out to his community for any help. One of the most pressing issues in his life is trying to maintain his home which is 83 years old but living on a fixed income makes the costs even harder to cover. A gift of $300 would help Lenny purchase the new window blinds he needs for his home.
Case 32
When a relative needed help, the Smith family stepped up with open arms. Now, their family of four is a family of five, having embraced the change and added another child to their home. The stress they were already experiencing has grown, making it difficult to raise a healthy family despite the hard work of the parents. A gift of $500 would allow the Smiths to put more healthy food on their table, help with gas prices, and stretch their budget for some of the kid’s other needs.
Case 33
This holiday season hasn’t been easy for Faith. Battling a recent cancer diagnosis and experiencing the loss of two family members has undoubtedly taken a toll on her personal life. Unable to work, her finances are a growing concern while she applies for disability to afford her monthly expenses. One of her largest bills is her car payment, which she will need in the coming months as she undergoes treatment. A gift of $1,000 would cover five months’ worth of car insurance and give her the ability to focus on her emotional and physical recovery.
Case 34
When she lost her husband last year Ruby began working as much as possible to support herself and her daughter. As a person with a disability, this has never been easy for her. Yet, despite the obstacles, she continues to volunteer and give back every chance she gets. Her community recognizes Ruby as someone with a big heart that deserves a little extra kindness this year. A gift of $1,284 would cover two months’ worth of mortgage payments for the home she’s worked hard to create with her family.
Case 35
The business she dedicated many years of her life to closed its doors, leaving Cindy unemployed after 23 years of hard work and dedication. Her job search has been unsuccessful and discouraging as an older adult. Her current rent is too high and although she’s been on a waitlist for senior housing for two years, it has made stretching an already tight budget more difficult. A gift of $500 would give her some room to breathe while she continues to pursue interviews and tries to regain confidence.
Case 36
Losing his job has impacted Ray’s family greatly. Raising two young boys has become even harder than before, with one son having health issues that require frequent doctor’s visits and additional costs. A gift of $1,500 would give him the opportunity to pay some bills, buy Christmas gifts, and provide a sense of relief as Ray tries to get his career back on track.
Case 37
Hope has dealt with many struggles leading up to this point in her life. She has encountered domestic violence, the loss of her mother and boyfriend to drug overdoses, and experienced chronic homelessness — all as a young woman. After losing her job as a home caretaker, Hope wants to get her GED and continue her education to pursue a degree in social work. Right now, one of her biggest barriers to reaching her goals is the expenses needed to register her car. A gift of $1,500 would help Hope to register her car, buy new clothes, and keep up with payments on the home she’s currently in.
Case 38
Things haven’t always been easy for Joy and her son. After living in their car, they finally received assistance for a home but because she’s unable to work due to an illness, their income is limited. Joy’s medical condition has worsened recently, leading to extreme weight loss and the need for monthly infusions. She relies on SSDI payments to make it each month but doesn’t have enough to cover other expenses like car repairs or new clothing. A gift of $1,500 would allow her to expand her budget and purchase the necessities she and her son need but often go without.