The Christmas season can be hard, especially if you’re a single mother of three trying to make ends meet.
For this single mother, this year is particularly hard after getting shut off from cash assistance within the past month. She tried to get work in order to continue getting the help, but she wasn’t able to find any adequate child care to look after her three children. It didn’t even matter that the mother is currently enrolled in school, because she attends Southern New Hampshire University and the Department of Transitional Assistance requires the assistance applicant to be enrolled in a Massachusetts school. With no income and Christmas on the doorstep, this mother is desperate for some help.
“My income is zero right now, and it’s really hard,” said the mother. “I would like my kids to have a nice Christmas, so I’m asking for help from anyone who can do so.”
Her children are spread out in age — 11, 9 and 3 — and they have a variety of interests. The 11-year-old, a boy, would like a skateboard and nothing else. The 9-year-old girl would like a case for her iPhone 6 Plus. The 3-year-old boy would like a Paw Patrol bike or some other kind of ride-on toy.
The Item and the Salvation Army have been committed to providing special Christmas experiences for families like this for years now, and with the help of generous donations from readers all over the area they will be able to continue doing so.
Now in its 53rd year, the Item Santa fund helps to make Christmas brighter for the needy. To donate, clip the coupon in The Item and mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, PO Box 5, Lynn, MA 01903.
There is also a way to donate online, and have your contributions acknowledged, just click on the following link: https://newitemlive.wpengine.com/itemsanta.
All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2020, along with a brief message from each donor, if desired.
NOTE: The application period for aid from Item Santa has closed and The Item does not process applicants. All questions about the program and distribution of gifts should be directed to Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.