Man who had surgery seeks help with utility bills, car maintenance

Aman who recently had emergency surgery on an infected foot says he is unable to work for at least six months while he undergoes physical therapy to learn how to walk again.

Being out of work and without an income or insurance has made it impossible to stay current with his bills.

He is asking for assistance from the Empty Stocking Fund for pay for utility bills and car maintenance costs.

The Empty Stocking Fund is a project of the Santa Fe New Mexican. The Santa Fe Community Foundation, Los Alamos National Bank, the Salvation Army, Presbyterian Medical Services, the Life Link, Habitat for Humanity and the Housing Trust donate services to jointly administer the Empty Stocking Fund.

The newspaper is publishing stories featuring requests for assistance from local residents.

The information from the initial application will be verified if the applicant is selected for assistance.

To donate: Make your taxdeductible donation online at www.santafenewmexican.com/ empty_stocking or mail a check to The New Mexican’s Empty Stocking Fund c/o the Santa Fe Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1827.

Donors can request to remain anonymous.

If you can provide a service such as roofing or home repairs, contact Habitat for Humanity at repairs@ santafehabitat.org.

If you can contribute food, clothing, toys, housewares, furniture, firewood or other items or services, call the Salvation Army at 505-9888054.

If you donate online in honor of a friend or loved one, a custom e-card can be sent from the Empty Stocking Fund to let them know about your contribution, courtesy of the Santa Fe Community Foundation and InSight Foto.

To apply for assistance: Applications for help must be received by 5 p.m. Nov. 30 to be considered by the Empty Stocking Fund Committee. Those who have received aid from the fund within the past four years will not be provided aid again this year.

Applications can be submitted at www.santafenewmexican.com/ empty_stocking. People who do not otherwise have access to the internet can go to the area’s public libraries for access.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered without regard to race, creed, place or country of origin, age, disability, ethnicity, color, gender identity, marital status or sexual orientation.

Recipients must live in Santa Fe County or Rio Arriba County and provide a Social Security number.

Donations

Anonymous (8): $4,525 Rhonda Avidon, in memory of Connie Amato: $15

Kathy Adelsheim and Laurel Awishus: $500

Judy and Tom Carr, in memory of Peggy Jost: 250

Bernard and Barbara Cawley: $500

Joe and Nancy Dewbre, in memory of Joshua and Shawn Dewbre: $100 Anne and Steve Farber: 150 Astrid and Peter Fieger: $250 Laura Gery: $36 Janis Gonzales: $100 Gladys and Joseph Guerrero: $25 Bill and Louise Haas: $50 Kay and Rich Haddaway: $250 Rebecca Haffenden: $100 Total: $6,851 Cumulative total: $42,282.18