Santa's Helper

Joe –

This is a letter from one of "Santa’s helpers". A couple of years ago you and your readers helped a family at Christmastime. The grandmother’s name was Sheila and she was raising her grandchildren. Many generously pitched in and shared a story of how the real gift had been getting to meet this wonderful family.

On July 4^th of this year Sheila had a massive stroke. She is fighting her way back to health and has experienced many blessings that were unpredicted including being able to speak, walk with assistance, write, and feed herself. Each of these accomplishments, which she attributes to God and faith, has been a milestone in her recovery.

Sheila’s mother is also a wonderful and giving woman of faith. Sheila now lives with her mother in the family home. Both are seriously disabled and have very limited resources. Unlike before when your readers responded with wonderful toys for the children and more, this year the family’s needs are very basic. Here’s what would be most helpful in case you have the ears of a few elves:

Grocery store gift cards (they don’t have a large kitchen so storing staples or perishables can be a challenge)

Drug store gift cards (if there is such a thing to help with prescription and medical supply expenses)

A tutor/mentor for the oldest of the girls, whose dreams of becoming a CNA won’t become a reality without help in studying for her GED. She also likes to draw and would benefit greatly from some lessons in drawing or painting. Sheila has given these girls wonderful and loving care, but her immobility and challenges make it impossible for her to help these young women to be successful without our help. I don’t have these art skills, but I will be providing some new supplies…brushes, watercolors, and watercolor paper to do my part.

The other of the girls is in school and talks of her school accomplishments with a big smile. She could use a pair of new boots in a women’s size 11. I talked to her about what hobbies might interest her since we all know that the temptations are great for our young people if they don’t have great ways to spend their time. After some brainstorming she thought that jewelry making might be something that she would really fancy….again, a smile lit up her face. Here too, I will be putting together somewhat of a starter kit so that she can try this out. There may be readers with experience at jewelry making who would like to provide some tips and inspiration.

The big item on the list is a bathroom. Yes, a bathroom. Their home is 2 stories. They are using the living room as Sheila’s room since she can’t navigate the stairs. There is no bathroom downstairs …any contractor elves out there could provide a blessing beyond imagination that would make this family’s lives so much easier.

That’s it. All of the glitter and tinsel and love for the real meaning of this holiday is already in their hearts.

If a few elves could help out we could give the gift of living with less worry to a family in need in the coming year. I know that this has been a very difficult year for just about everyone, but if enough of us are able to do a little we can make a difference together.