Local families need help for the holidays
Brian and Sally work hard to make ends meet and feed their three children.
The family just moved to the Danbury area from New York City to start a better life. The children have adjusted well to school and their new surroundings.
Brian has started a new job and Sally has secured a new job, but she has yet to receive her first paycheck. After bills, Brian’s paycheck barely leaves enough money for food.
Despite their hard work, they seem to keep hitting roadblocks. But that doesn’t stop Sally from volunteering at the local food pantry.
A gift of $500 will help pay for groceries and relieve some stress for this family.
The News-Times partners each holiday season with United Way of Western Connecticut to help raise money for families like Brian and Sally’s through the The Giving Fund.
United Way administers the fund free of charge, so 100 percent of donations go directly to those who need it. Donations are collected for each case until it is fully funded. Since the partnership started, more than $500,000 has been raised for families in need.
Any donations received above the amount needed will benefit other, underfunded cases.
Donations can be given at https://www.uwwesternct. org/thegivingfund. Checks may also be mailed to The Giving Fund, P.O. Box 1001, Danbury, CT 06813.
This week’s six cases:
⏩ Case 119: The Greene’s and their two children are having a difficult time because the father recently broke his pelvis in a car accident and cannot work for 12 weeks. The mother who already works two part-time jobs while the kids are in school has taken on extra work nights and weekends. The family is behind on its utility bills. A gift of $500 will help this family heat their home until the father is able to return to work.
⏩ Case 120: Sarah is a working mother of two children who recently became the guardian of her nephew because there was no family left to take care of him and she didn’t want him go into foster care. Although she struggles more now with a new mouth to feed, she is determined to ensure the children do well in school. A gift of $400 would help with food and warm clothing for the children.
⏩ Case 121: is Brian and Sally’s case.
⏩ Case 122: Elisa is a single working mom who strives to keep her children positive about school. Elisa struggles to provide warm clothing and food in the home. A gift of $400 would help with clothing and food.
⏩ Case 123: Abigail’s second child was born four months premature and needs both physical and occupational therapy. Abigail was forced to quit her job to take care of her son full-time. Because of her son’s constant medical needs, she must have a car, but she cannot afford both the rent and the car payment. A gift of $1,000 will help her keep both her home and car.
Case 124: Joe is a 33-yearold father of two teenage daughters. Most of his childhood was spent living in motels, on the streets or with family friends, and he struggled with addiction for 20 years. Joe has been sober for over a year. He is committed to his children and hopes to continue to be a positive role model in their lives. Joe is currently employed with a job he loves, however due to past hardships, it is hard to get back on his feet. A gift of $1,000 would help him with one month’s rent and a repair on his truck.