Struggling moms, resolute students among recipients

Inspired by her humble beginning as a waitress and single mom, Carolyn Gable launched the Believe Project to give back during the holiday season.

For years, Gable has given away $100 to a deserving recipient each day of December with the Believe Project. She launched it in the Chicago suburbs, but in 2018, as a part-time resident, Gable brought it to the Phoenix area.

Now, with some help from The Arizona Republic, Gable is bringing the Believe Project back to the Valley this holiday season.

The goal of the project is to pay it forward: You tell us who could use an extra $100, Gable chooses the recipients and we provide some administrative help. Then, the recipients pass on the gift.

Gable, who provides all gifts herself, has been sorting through your submissions.

Here are this week’s recipients. Their nominees are not named by The Republic.

Dec. 27: Krystel A.

Krystel wrote to us about a woman who suddenly became ill this summer and recently learned she has fungus growing in her lungs.

“(The nominee) is normally an energetic and outgoing person who has a heart of gold,” Krystel wrote. “She would be the first person to lend a helping hand for anyone in need.”

Krystel said the nominee now has six to 12 months of treatment ahead of her. The illness also cost the nominee her job, so her husband is the sole provider for their family of seven.

“Even just $100 would help tremendously to give them during this holiday season,” she wrote.

Dec. 26: Suzanne C.

Suzanne nominated her granddaughter, who is raising four adopted daughters on her own while earning a degree in social work.

Ever since the nominee went back to school, money has been tight around the house, Suzanne said.

“She thinks of her girls first, always, and $100 would be a godsend,” she wrote.

Dec. 25: Nicole Y.

Nicole wrote to us about a friend, who runs a nonprofit that makes memory books for children with “life-limiting illnesses who have gone on MakeA-Wish trips.”

“The albums bring joy to their faces and provide the family a unique album they will cherish long after their child succumbs to the disease,” Nicole wrote.

The nominee relies on supplies donated from vendors to create the memory books, and monetary donations to ship them. When she’s low on donated funds, she pays the cost of shipping — anywhere from $20 to $30 per album — out of pocket.

“I’d like to give her an extra $100 because as much as I would like her to do something nice for herself, I know she will use the money to ship three more albums,” Nicole wrote.

Dec. 24: Annally O.

Annally nominated her mother, who is going through a rough time, but has always put her two children first.

Annally said her mother has lost her job twice, but she still managed to provide them with the essentials.

“Even when she has very little to give, she will give the last dollar in her pocket because she has faith that good things come when you give,” Annally wrote.

Annally mentioned she does not remember the last time her mother has done something for herself.

Dec. 23: Claudia D.

Claudia wrote to us about another student: a foster child who will be spending his first Christmas with his family in years.

She also said that the staff worked with him on his behavior issues at first, but now he’s changed into a student who is beloved by the staff.

Claudia mentioned that he does not remember having a regular Christmas.

“A prize like this would show him that there are people out there that care about kids in the state system like him,” Claudia wrote.

“I feel she is so deserving of something small to treat herself for once,” she wrote.

Dec. 22: Claudia D.

Claudia nominated a Chandler high school student, who juggles schoolwork and caring for his father who has cancer.

The student recently transferred to a new high school after struggling with low grades and attendance issues. Since he started at the new school, he has “completed more than his assigned classes and is currently on track to graduate on time,” Claudia wrote.

“(He) is in a situation in which any adult could break, but this child has a heart of gold, and he is getting through it,” she said.

Dec. 21: Larry W.

Larry wrote to us about his granddaughter, who is being evicted from her home and has no money to buy her 10-year-old son gifts for the holidays.

The nominee works two jobs — Walmart by day and Uber by night — but may have to sleep at a hotel for Christmas if she doesn’t find a new home, Larry said.

Larry said he wants the $100 for his granddaughter so she can afford to buy her son something for the holidays.

“Over the years she has given so much . ... So, to see her be able to achieve just one wish for her son would be a blessing in disguise,” Larry wrote.

“Even when she has very little to give, she will give the last dollar in her pocket because she has faith that good things come when you give.” Annally O. On her mother