LGBTQ couple spread holiday cheer
Single Parent Project aims to help families having trouble this Christmas
Partners David Coish and Ambrose Penton are making sure Christmas comes to single-parent families across the province this year, one family at a time.
The couple has started the Single Parent Christmas Project, which seeks to donate money and presents to singleparent families who otherwise may have difficulty making ends meet during the Christmas season.
Last week, Penton says, he learned of a single mother who, after paying bills and buying groceries, had only a few dollars left to buy gifts for her children for Christmas.
He turned to Coish, who turned to Facebook, and before they knew it, $200 had been raised for the mother to help her through the season.
Penton, a mall Santa, says he grew up in a family of 16 children, so he knows how it feels to have difficulties during the Christmas season.
“When I was eight years old my father got injured on the job. My mother was a housewife, so there wasn’t very much money that came into the house,” said Penton.
“I understand what it’s like
not to get something as a child, how disheartening it can be.”
So far, about $700 has been raised between cash donations
and toys for families in Corner Brook, the New-wes-valley area and St. John’s.
The initiative has so far helped three single mothers, but Coish says single fathers are certainly included in the idea.
“What we’re finding is that it’s almost all single moms who need help,” said Coish.
“There’s definitely single dads out there, they’re just not nearly as numerous as single moms with kids.”
Coish and Penton hope to help five families with the initiative, though it could grow.
Coish says they hope to support working mothers and fathers who in spite of their best efforts are having trouble this season.
“Every one of them has had a spouse who hasn’t given support,” said Coish.
“Every one of them are either working or in school. They’ve all tried.”
Coish says because the pair are not a formal organization, all the proceeds go directly to the families.
“We don’t expect this to become something we keep going every year. It’s a one-shot initiative that’s kind of snowballing,” said Coish.
Anyone wishing to support the initiative can send an email to davidcoish@yahoo.ca.