Santa arrives early
at an Apopkaarea drug rehabilitation facility for women, bringing gifts for 62 children who were able to visit their mothers and loved ones at the facility Sunday.
“Christmas!” an awestruck young girl exclaimed as she burst into a room Sunday to find a mountain of presents stacked on a long rectangular table.
At an Apopka-area drug rehabilitation facility for women, Santa Claus didn’t forget the children visiting their mothers – he just came early.
In all, he brought gifts for 62 children who were able to visit their mothers and loved ones at the facility Sunday.
With help from One Heart for Women and Children, the children left Sunday with big smiles and an arm full of gifts after visiting mom. They also met St. Nick, who shared tales from the North Pole and took pictures with the kids.
“They [had] no idea they’re getting Christmas presents today,” said Stephanie Bowman, CEO of the nonprofit. “Some of them, this is the only presents they’ll get at Christmas time.”
Children unwrapped Paw Patrol toys and dolls, as well as books and games, while teens received gift cards.
They also got to meet former NFL players Mike Attardi and Darryl Talley, who autographed footballs for each child. Attardi kicked for the Los Angeles Raiders from 1991-93, while Talley was a two-time Pro Bowl selection at linebacker and spent most of his 14-year NFL career with the Buffalo Bills.
Bowman says she organizes the event each year because she knows what it’s like to be separated from loved ones: 18 years ago she lived in a back bedroom at the facility where she kicked her substance-abuse struggles and learned to love herself again.
“I remember eating out of a dumpster,” she said, recalling a 5-week period she and her children lived homeless in the Parramore neighborhood after escaping domestic violence. “It was a long enough time to know what it feels like, and it was a short enough time that I knew I didn’t have to live that way.”
Several years after she finished her rehab, Bowman started the nonprofit that helps families like hers and also feeds about 3,000 families per month.
She credits Aretha Simons, now the nonprofit’s vice president, for helping her get back on the right track. Simons worked at the Apopka-area center and made sure to hug and pray with Bowman and always let her know she cared.
Now the two make sure Santa and Mrs. Claus come to visit each year.
“It’s good because on one hand, you see…the joy on their children’s face,” Simons said. “I’ve seen one time where a kid was crying because he wanted to stay here [with his mom].”
Georgia Cothran, 33, graduated from the program in August and said she loves coming back to be a positive example for the women living there.
In February, she enrolled after struggling with years of heroin and opioid addiction and was scared about what her future had in store. But by August she graduated with a full-time job and plans to attend college, and found Bowman, who believed in her and keeps her involved with One Heart For Women and Children’s efforts.
“I am not the same person that I was when I came into this program,” said Cothran, who starts business classes at Valencia College in January. “I’m driving again...I’m trusted today, I’m loved today.”
Bowman hoped the women living there now could feel her organization’s love Sunday.
“The gift we get is we get to see everybody laughing together and the families getting to see their mom…,” Bowman said.