Christmas should always be a happy time of year, but sometimes there are barriers that can keep a family from rejoicing and being merry. The family I have chosen to adopt for the Eden Gives Back project is a family who has hit many barriers over the past year.
The father of this family has been struggling with his construction company for the past couple of years. Finally, this year it failed. He has been out of work for a few months now and the bills had been stacking up. The mother had been on medical leave for a few weeks and was in and out of the hospital. They have been struggling to support their 4 children, including a set of twins. One of the twins is Autistic and constantly has to travel to OT and medical appointments. On November 8th, 2012 the mother passed away.
The grandmother has been helping in any way possible including paying household bills and rent, as well as taking care of the children and their father in this difficult time. Her biggest fear right now is that her finances are running out and she will not be able to help for much longer, let alone think about Christmas. She told me about how the mother always made a big deal about Christmas, and with this being the most difficult time in the family’s lives; she wants to make it good for them. Even if it just takes their mind of their pain for a day.
My sister passed away last year on Dec. 3rd. And I can't put into words how difficult it was for her 3 children to have their first Christmas without her. So when Grandmother told me what was happening, I just had to get involved. And with the Eden Gives Back project, we will be able to provide a Christmas to this family that is in such a dark place right now.
I have been talking to the grandmother every few days and we thought that a Christmas surprise would be best for the whole family. So she has not told the children, or the father. She said that he needs a Christmas miracle as much as they do. I have been provided with a list of items for each person; including a list of 'needs' including socks, underwear and winter gear. Here is a breakdown of each one.
Father - 37, Needs a winter coat and socks. He enjoys sports items (shirts, mugs etc.) and fishing gear.
Girl 1 - 10, Needs socks and underwear and enjoys jewelry making kits, music posters and Smithsonian science project kits.
Boy 1 - 7, Needs snow gear and long sleeve shirts. He enjoys nonviolent video games as well as art supplies and craft painting kits (he paints models for his brother).
Boy 2 - 7, He needs long sleeve shirts and snow gear as well and like when they match his brother's. He has preschool level interests for most things, like character flash lights and anything else that lights up, and picture books. He has an amazing talent of building model airplane, train and car kits and enjoys when his brother paints them for him. He spends a good portion of his days on these projects.
Girl 2 - 2 1/2, Needs Disney character PJs (she won’t wear anything else!) and socks. She is interested in baby dolls, strollers and any other baby accessory. She also loves stuffed animals that sing and anything sesame street.
Although the Grandmother is not in the household, I think it would be nice to get her a gift card or something for everything she has done. I know she enjoys Applebee’s restaurant, bath and body works and shopping at Wal-Mart. She has also volunteered to go shopping with me to ensure that I am able to get the things that are exactly right for this family. Including some day to day items that they can always use including bathroom items and cleaning items.
I am so excited to be a part of the Eden community and to be able to volunteer with Eden Gives Back. Because of Eden, this family, and many others will be able to provide a better Christmas morning for their children. Thank you everyone for your help!
The father of this family has been struggling with his construction company for the past couple of years. Finally, this year it failed. He has been out of work for a few months now and the bills had been stacking up. The mother had been on medical leave for a few weeks and was in and out of the hospital. They have been struggling to support their 4 children, including a set of twins. One of the twins is Autistic and constantly has to travel to OT and medical appointments. On November 8th, 2012 the mother passed away.
The grandmother has been helping in any way possible including paying household bills and rent, as well as taking care of the children and their father in this difficult time. Her biggest fear right now is that her finances are running out and she will not be able to help for much longer, let alone think about Christmas. She told me about how the mother always made a big deal about Christmas, and with this being the most difficult time in the family’s lives; she wants to make it good for them. Even if it just takes their mind of their pain for a day.
My sister passed away last year on Dec. 3rd. And I can't put into words how difficult it was for her 3 children to have their first Christmas without her. So when Grandmother told me what was happening, I just had to get involved. And with the Eden Gives Back project, we will be able to provide a Christmas to this family that is in such a dark place right now.
I have been talking to the grandmother every few days and we thought that a Christmas surprise would be best for the whole family. So she has not told the children, or the father. She said that he needs a Christmas miracle as much as they do. I have been provided with a list of items for each person; including a list of 'needs' including socks, underwear and winter gear. Here is a breakdown of each one.
Father - 37, Needs a winter coat and socks. He enjoys sports items (shirts, mugs etc.) and fishing gear.
Girl 1 - 10, Needs socks and underwear and enjoys jewelry making kits, music posters and Smithsonian science project kits.
Boy 1 - 7, Needs snow gear and long sleeve shirts. He enjoys nonviolent video games as well as art supplies and craft painting kits (he paints models for his brother).
Boy 2 - 7, He needs long sleeve shirts and snow gear as well and like when they match his brother's. He has preschool level interests for most things, like character flash lights and anything else that lights up, and picture books. He has an amazing talent of building model airplane, train and car kits and enjoys when his brother paints them for him. He spends a good portion of his days on these projects.
Girl 2 - 2 1/2, Needs Disney character PJs (she won’t wear anything else!) and socks. She is interested in baby dolls, strollers and any other baby accessory. She also loves stuffed animals that sing and anything sesame street.
Although the Grandmother is not in the household, I think it would be nice to get her a gift card or something for everything she has done. I know she enjoys Applebee’s restaurant, bath and body works and shopping at Wal-Mart. She has also volunteered to go shopping with me to ensure that I am able to get the things that are exactly right for this family. Including some day to day items that they can always use including bathroom items and cleaning items.
I am so excited to be a part of the Eden community and to be able to volunteer with Eden Gives Back. Because of Eden, this family, and many others will be able to provide a better Christmas morning for their children. Thank you everyone for your help!
