Donation can ‘provide hope and a smile’

Now in its 38th year, The Giving Fund returns this Thanksgiving weekend to offer residents a way to help others in the community who are in need.

On Sundays and Thursdays throughout the holiday season, The Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time and The Norwalk Hour will print the stories of area residents who are finding it difficult to meet their basic daily needs.

The Giving Fund supports two local nonprofits, Greenwich-based Family Centers and Darien-based Person-to-Person, in their missions to support families throughout lower Fairfield County.

“The Giving Fund plays an integral part in allowing community members to directly support their neighbors in need,” said Lauren Franciamore, chief programs officer at Darienbased Person to Person.

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment, inflation and a number of other factors, many individuals need more support than ever this holiday season,” Franciamore said.

A donation to the Giving Fund “allows families to remain stable and safe in their homes, and also provides them with hope and a smile,” she said.

The Giving Fund is unique in that it provides monetary gifts to individuals and families to meet basic needs — paying a utility bill, buying winter clothes or covering part of a rent payment, for example.

“This is an important way for members of the community to give right here in their backyard to help people in need and help them live the lives they deserve,” said William Brucker, chief advancement officer at the Greenwichbased Family Centers.

Last year’s drive raised a record-setting $113,000 in donations.

How to donate

The Greenwich Time, the Stamford Advocate and The Hour is publishing short stories about local families and people in need of a helping hand every Thursday and Sunday throughout the holiday season.

Each case in the Giving Fund includes an estimated dollar amount to help an individual or family tackle everyday challenges such as rent payments, child care costs or transportation.

The names in the stories have been changed to protect their privacy. The Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time and The Hour sponsor The Giving Fund in partnership with Greenwich-based Family Centers and Darien-based Personto-Person.

Case #310: Anna took a respite at Kids in Crisis over the summer after tension in her home led to major conflicts and everyone in her family needed a break. The family is now reunited, but the stress of their dire financial situation threatens the fragile peace they are trying to maintain. A gift of $500 to help with groceries and other necessities would do a lot to ease the strain during this holiday season.

Case #311: Marylyn has been battling liver cancer for the past three years, receiving treatment to keep the cancer from spreading through her body. She is unable to earn an income because she is scheduled for doctor’s visits at least three times a week. She is also a mother to three children, with the youngest a freshman in high school. Marylyn tries to maintain a stable life for her family while her husband goes to work. However, life has been difficult on one income during the COVID-19 pandemic. A gift of $1,000 would allow her family to remain in their apartment while she continues to receive treatment.

Case #312: Bert is in his second year of college and is on a scholarship because his family cannot afford to contribute to his tuition. He works part time on campus but needs money for winter clothes and boots. Please consider a donation of $300 for Bert to cover the cost of clothes suitable for cold weather.

Case #313: Darren was living in the South before authorities removed him from his home. He was placed in his father’s house and has been living in Stamford since middle school. Darren has two young siblings from his father’s new marriage. He often feels like a burden with so many needs in the household. He would be thrilled with $300 for winter clothes and boots.

Case #314: Bella is the youngest of three, living in a home with a mother who has serious mental health issues. Bella struggles to keep upbeat and optimistic and has learned to make do with very little, as there is never enough to go around. She is a 15-year-old who is outgrowing her clothes, and $300 would go a long way toward helping her feel good about herself and not a burden to her mother.

Case #315: Maria left her ill mother in Haiti when she came to the U.S. two years ago to live with her grandmother and make a better life for her family. Maria sends money to her mother each month but there is never anything left for Maria when it comes time to buy groceries or pay the rent. She would be grateful for $500 to contribute to the household this winter.

Case #316: Sherry works part time at a diner every day after school, her mother cleans houses and her father works construction. Money is always tight -- but this year especially. The family needed to downsize after losing their apartment in the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hard to get enough money to pay the rent. Sherry and her family would greatly benefit from $500 that they could put toward rent.

Case #317: Stella has lived with her mother and younger sister since they left an abusive domestic situation two years ago. Stella is doing well in high school and takes on many responsibilities that her mother, who suffers from PTSD from her violent marriage, cannot fulfill on her own. Stella has reached out to many social service providers and manages to juggle the family’s finances most of the time. However, $500 to use toward rent would be enormously helpful this holiday season.

Case #318: Mark lives in public housing with his parents, who are hardworking immigrants who want Mark to make a successful life for himself. He attends a local college and lives at home. He is working hard to contribute to his family’s finances while maintaining good academic standing as a freshman at UConn. He and his family would benefit from $500 to cover part of their rent.

Case #319: Kristy’s older sister recently had a baby but is unable to care for the little girl. The baby is now in the care of their mother. The mother already provides for Kristy and their grandma, and now there’s another mouth to feed. The family desperately needs help to buy diapers and formula for the new baby, and a gift of $300 would be appreciated.

All the Giving Fund cases will be listed online. To make a donation online, visit https://givingfund. isecuresites.com/.