2018 Give A Christmas: Willingboro children fear not seeing mother for Christmas

By Danielle DeSisto:

It’s been over a year since three children in Willingboro have seen their mother.

Their parents recently divorced, and it’s been tough for the kids to adjust to not having her around. Their father tries his best to lift their spirits, but after losing his job several months ago, it’s been increasingly difficult for him to hold his head high.

“My children have been through a lot emotionally because of this,” the father wrote in a letter to the Give A Christmas fund, co-sponsored by the Burlington County Times and Willingboro Rotary Club. “It’s very hard for the children to contact their mother, and the postcards to her are stacking up.”

Despite these hardships, the children are on the honor roll at school. The oldest, an 11-year-old boy, is a cancer survivor.

As Christmas Day draws closer, the father dreams of giving his children the joyous holiday he knows they deserve.

“I would just like to show them that we can still have a beautiful Christmas, even though they have not seen their mom in a while,” the father wrote. “I want them to feel special, to take part in the Christmas spirit, in giving and loving others.”

Since 1968, Give A Christmas has collected and distributed over $3 million to Burlington County families in need. As of Sunday, the program has raised $61,634 this year.

2018 Give A Christmas: Mount Holly mother struggles to make Christmas bright for children

By Danielle DeSisto:

MOUNT HOLLY — Over the past few years, a Mount Holly mother has finally found her footing.

She works a decent job and makes just enough money to support her 17-year-old son and 10-year old daughter. But it’s been challenging to give her children everything she feels they deserve on a single income. The children’s father has been incarcerated since 2008.

“Unfortunately this year my son is a senior, and I have definitely overextended myself trying to make sure he’s able to do everything his friends are doing, and everything my parents made sure I got to experience,” the mother wrote to Give a Christmas, co-sponsored by the Burlington County Times and the Willingboro Rotary Club.

The son works multiple days a week after school to afford his own clothes and toiletries in an effort to ease the financial burden on his mother. But even with the extra help, the mother is behind on rent payments, and may soon have her electricity shut off.

With the holidays approaching, the mother worries her children will be disappointed come Christmas morning.

“What it comes down to is I want to give my children the Christmas they both deserve, but I don’t see how I can with everything else on my plate right now,” she wrote.

Since 1968, Give a Christmas has collected and distributed over $3 million to struggling Burlington County families at the holidays. As of Friday, the program has raised $42,039 towards its goal of $80,000.

To donate, visit burlingtoncountytimes.com/giveachristmas.

2018 Give A Christmas: Willingboro mother, children spend holidays in motel

By Danielle DeSisto:

WILLINGBORO — A single mother in the township never imagined she’d be living in a motel with her three young children at the holidays.

Up until recently, the family was living with the mother’s sister. They were asked to leave when the sister’s boyfriend moved in.

It’s been difficult to afford food and basic necessities while staying in the motel. And with Christmas around the corner, the mother is afraid the holiday won’t be merry for her 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old and 8-month-old sons.

“I don’t want them to wake up on Christmas with nothing to open from Santa. This is heartbreaking to me because the two oldest ones keep saying what they want Santa to bring them,” the mother wrote to the Give a Christmas fund, co-sponsored by the Burlington County Times and Willingboro Rotary. “So I am writing this writing this letter in tears hoping that Give a Christmas can help me so I can give my children a Christmas this year.”

Since 1968, Give a Christmas has collected and distributed over $3 million to Burlington County families in need at the holidays. As of Wednesday, the program has raised $36,872 towards its goal of $80,000 this year.

2018 Give A Christmas: Mother and baby may be without a home for the holidays

By Danielle DeSisto:

During the first 33 days of her daughter’s life, a Burlington mother was filled with fear and pain rather than joy.

Her baby was born with a serious respiratory condition and spent over a month in the hospital. But the infant’s father left while her mother was recovering from a cesarean section, leaving her to care for their daughter alone.

Now 9 months old, the baby is very happy and never fails to bring a smile to her mother’s face. But her health is still on shaky ground. She underwent surgery earlier this month that will hopefully make it easier for her to breathe in the future.

Balancing her daughter’s medical needs and work schedule hasn’t been easy. The mother has needed to take extensive time off from work to take the baby to doctors' appointments, for which she doesn’t get paid.

As a result, the mother is behind on rent payments, and she and her daughter may be facing eviction just before Christmas.

“All I want to do is ensure that my baby enjoys her first Christmas and has a place to enjoy it in,” the mother wrote to the Give A Christmas fund, co-sponsored by the Burlington County Times and Willingboro Rotary Club. “I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, but she has been the best thing to ever happen to me. And though I know I can’t give her the world, I am doing all I can to give her whatever I have.”

Give A Christmas has collected and distributed over $3 million to local families in need since 1968. The program aims to raise $80,000 this year.

As of Friday, $27,982 has been collected. 

2018 Give A Christmas: Riverside couple struggle to brighten holidays for kids

By Danielle DeSisto:

Most days, a Riverside couple and their three children go to bed hungry.

The father holds down two jobs while the mother stays home to care for their two sons, ages 11 and 9, and 2-year-old daughter, who has special needs. It’s been difficult enough to keep up with mortgage, health insurance and utility bills, let alone unexpected expenses, including a broken dryer and air conditioner and emergency room visits for their daughter.

“Considering I can barely afford food, I have no idea how we’ll make Christmas happen for my children,” the mother wrote in a letter to the Give A Christmas fund, co-sponsored by the Burlington County Times and Willingboro Rotary Club.

With assistance from Give A Christmas, which supports struggling families in Burlington County during the holidays, the couple hope to help their children forget their troubles and preserve the magic of Christmas.

“As they grow older, their wish list becomes smaller, yet more expensive,” the mother wrote of her boys. “They are both honor roll students. They deserve a nice holiday.”

Since 1968, the Give A Christmas fund has collected and distributed over $3 million to thousands of local families in need.

As of Friday, $17,401 has been collected toward the goal of $80,000. 

2018 Give A Christmas: Willingboro family copes with loss at the holidays

By Danielle DeSisto:

A Willingboro father never expected to be raising four children on his own.

His wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June, and the disease took her three months later. She left behind three daughters, ages 13, 9 and 6, and a 4-year-old son.

The father has taken on a second job to try to make ends meet and to afford his children’s tuition in Catholic school. He has found himself leaning on his faith to keep going.

“Tragedy has truly struck my family, but we must hold onto the promises of Father God,” the father wrote in a letter to the Give A Christmas fund, co-sponsored by the Burlington County Times and Willingboro Rotary Club.

He knows it will be difficult to put a smile on his children's faces this Christmas, but he hopes to find the means to put a few toys or winter coats under the tree.

“Any gift would certainly be a huge blessing. However, if nothing else, I’d really appreciate your prayers,” the father wrote.

The Give A Christmas fund tries to ease the burden struggling families have in providing for their children at Christmas by working toward its goal of raising $80,000. Beginning in 1968, the program has collected and distributed over $3 million to Burlington County families.

2018 Give A Christmas: Riverside family seeks help in giving children a joyful Christmas

By Danielle DeSisto:

After her husband got injured at work, a Riverside mother has struggled to provide for her three young children.

From keeping up with mortgage bills to fighting with her health insurance company, the mother feels as if she is drowning. But her children inspire her each day to persevere.

“My kids have been so appreciative. We could not even do birthday parties this year, and they still stay positive,” the mother wrote in a letter to the annual Give A Christmas fund, co-sponsored by the Burlington County Times and Willingboro Rotary Club.

Her 15-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter are honor roll students, and she’s confident her 3-year-old son will follow in their footsteps. But the mother worries that she won’t be able to reward her children with the joy they deserve this Christmas.

“I would hate for them to not have anything on Christmas Day,” she wrote. “The 3-year-old can’t wait for Santa, and I hope and pray you bless us with this gift.”

The Give A Christmas fund tries to ease the burden struggling families have in providing for their children at Christmas by working toward its goal of raising $80,000. Beginning in 1968, the program has collected and distributed over $3 million to Burlington County families.