Single mom grateful for the kindness of others

After struggling through months of joblessness and homelessness, Carlyn, a single mother of five, says the greatest gift her family received this holiday is a permanent place to reside.

“I got a little place now. People have been helping me out a little bit with furniture and food, stuff like that,” said Carlyn, 50, of Pottstown.

Carlyn’s two youngest children, an 11-year-old girl and a teenage boy, reside with her while her three eldest children are adults and live on their own.

“I didn’t work for a while. I was laid off from my job for five months. I had to go to a lot of programs for help. Being a single parent, it was really hard for me for a while,” said Carlyn, adding she and her children lived with a friend while she was unemployed.

“I was staying with a friend for a couple of months because I didn’t really have anywhere to go because I didn’t have any money. She was being nice and let me stay with her,” Carlyn added.

Carlyn has relied on food banks, church clothing drives and free meals provided by churches

to help her get by during her financial struggles.

“It’s the God’s honest truth it makes me feel grateful that there are people out there trying to help me. I’m grateful there are churches there to help out. But at the same time, I’m sad because I have to depend on people. I don’t like to depend on nobody.

“But I’m grateful that there are still good people out there to help me,” Carlyn reiterated, her voice filling with emotion as she discussed the kindness of others and the assistance she received.

Carlyn receives no child support.

“I’m pretty much doing everything by myself,” Carlyn said.

Recently, Carlyn was able to obtain employment, which helped her to be able to afford a small apartment.

“I finally found something small, something I can afford. I’m just starting to turn things around now. Everything is starting to come around for me now, just a little bit,” said Carlyn, who can’t afford a car. “I walk to work every morning.

“I’m just trying to take it day to day,” Carlyn added.

As Christmas nears, Carlyn said her two youngest children have dreamed of having gifts under a Christmas tree but she knows she won’t be able to grant those wishes.

“It’s sad because every kid wants something but in my situation I don’t have it. I just don’t have it. I can’t give you something I don’t have,” said Carlyn, her voice trailing with sadness. “I just tell my kids to be thankful that we’re living and that we got a roof over our heads right now.”

Carlyn said her son understands her plight but she added her little girl doesn’t comprehend the financial difficulties.

“It really breaks your heart. I try to explain it the best I can, that we should be glad that we’re healthy and living,” Carlyn said.

Carlyn tries to instill in her children that they are blessed because they have a place to live and are together this Christmas.

“It could be worse,” Carlyn said.

When Carlyn was informed she and her family were recipients of the Operation Holiday program she was overcome by emotion and said, “I appreciate it so much. Thank you, God is so good. The help that you guys give, I really appreciate it.”

Carlyn shared her story to inspire those who can to give to the children of our community at this most appropriate time, the holidays.

Now in its 29th year, Operation Holiday has provided a brighter holiday season to thousands of families with children throughout the region. Donations from readers last year allowed the program to provide food and gifts for 144 families with 442 children in need.

This year, 15 agencies in Montgomery County and northern Chester County have referred 107 families with 325 children. Stories of families interviewed by our reporters will appear in the newspaper and online between now and December 24.

There is no overhead with Operation Holiday and all funds stay local. Funds are collected and audited in a non-profit foundation account managed by staff of MediaNews Group.

Food, which includes the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry, is ordered, bought, packed and distributed by employees and their family members as well as local high school and community volunteers.

Gift cards for every child in the program 16 years of age or younger are purchased through Boscov’s and distributed in partnership with the referring agencies.

Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency in order to protect the integrity of the program.

Operation Holiday is funded solely by readers’ contributions. All contributions are tax deductible.

Contributions can be mailed to The Mercury, Attn: Operation Holiday,

PENNSYLVANIA

Pick 2 (Dec. 15): 4-9 (Day: Dec. 16: 9-2) Pick 3 (Dec. 15): 3-4-4 (Day: Dec. 16: 9-3-4) Pick 4 (Dec. 15): 2-4-8-5 (Day: Dec. 16: 0-5-9-3) Pick 5(Dec. 15): 5-7-8-8-0 (Day: Dec. 16: 1-5-7-0-2) Treasure Hunt (Dec. 16): 8-16-18-24-26 Cash 5 (Dec. 15): 6-13-15-18-20 Match 6 (Dec. 15): 10-17-26-27-44-46

PO Box 1181, Pottstown, PA 19464, or The Reporter, 307 Derstine Ave., Lansdale PA 19446. Make checks payable to “Operation Holiday.” Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit https://tcnetwork.org/ and click on the link for Operation Holiday.

Names and donations will be published in the newspaper as they are received. Please note if you want your donation to be listed as “Anonymous” for publication or if you would like it listed as “In memory of ...” or “In honor of ...” Donations that do not include a notation will be published with the name of the donor as written on the check.

All numbers unofficial until validated.

DELAWARE

Play 3 (Dec. 15): 5-0-7 (Day: Dec. 16: 9-7-1) Play 4 (Dec. 15): 4-1-2-2 (Day: Dec. 16: 0-8-8-0) Lucky for Life (Dec. 12): 16-17-21-28-38 Lucky Ball: 8 Lotto America (Dec. 14): 7-8-33-37-51 Star Ball: 8 Multiplier: 2 Multi-Win Lotto (Dec. 13): 7-9-19-24-27-28

NEW JERSEY