Single mom teaches kids to be grateful for what they have
PHOENIXVILLE » Things have been relatively stable recently for Lisa, but she knows what it feels like to struggle paying the bills and keeping a positive attitude.
That’s why she’s all about helping others whenever she can.
“When you’re low income any help is appreciated,” said the Phoenixville resident and mother of three. “I have always struggled so I’m always helping people out because I know how it feels to have nothing. I used to be in such a bad situation because of their dad, so I know what it’s like to need help. We had to build from the ground up because of that situation and I’m happy that we’re no longer in that situation. But the way I was raised, we always go out of our way to help people. Any time the situation comes our way we try to
do something nice. Anytime someone can help it’s wonderful, it helps to brighten the holiday. Things are only getting harder for people, especially right now, with COVID and people losing their jobs. I’m not able to hold a job at the moment because of my own mental health, and with COVID I’m kind of scared of bringing it home and exposing my children to the virus.”
She recalled the joy it brought her bringing a little solace to an elderly neighbor in her last days.
“I used to bring her food and cook for her any chance I had. She wasn’t real coherent, so I used to go over and keep her company and cook for her. Unfortunately she passed away a few months ago but I’m so glad I was able to do something for her,” said Lisa, who has received assistance with her own mental health and that of her special needs children through the Community Services of Devereaux.
“My children have intellectual disabilities, ADHD and a couple of other things that were causing problems due to the medication not being correct. Two of them talk to a therapist through telehealth,” she added.
Telehealth may not be the ideal option, but it’s better than no option at all, she pointed out.
“The way the world is right now it will do. It’s better than not having anything. I hope eventually things will change and we can go back to in- person visits and it will be a little more beneficial for them than it is now. We’ve had therapists in the past where it didn’t work out, so I like to keep everything in one place.” As the Christmas season builds, Lisa said she tries to convey to her three sons, who are 17, 14 and 11, that gifts can’t necessarily be a priority.
“My kids are getting older and I guess they don’t have too much Christmas spirit right now. I try to do a little bit for them every year. We decorate a Christmas tree and do what we can. But we’re struggling just to get by. I had to explain to my kids that the bills are very important and sometimes we’re not able to get things. But I’m a planner and I like to save whatever money I can from one year to the next, and that’s how I like to buy gifts. They’ll get a few gifts, it’s not much, but they appreciate that because they know there are people who can’t celebrate at all. It varies from year to year. I try to buy little things here and there and save them for Christmas. We’re not greedy and we try to be respectful that somebody that doesn’t know us is going out of their way for you,” she said. “We appreciate anything we can have. I was raised very different than the way society and the kids are today. I was raised old-fashioned and my grandparents had a big influence on me, and I’ve raised my kids the same way. My kids can be loud, but they don’t do half the things these kids in society do these days … they’re pretty darn good kids.”
Now in its 30th year, Operation Holiday has provided a brighter holiday season to thousands of families with children throughout the region. Donations from readers last year totaled more than $35,000 and allowed the program to provide food and gifts for 107 families with 325 children in need.
This year, 15 agencies in Montgomery and Chester counties have referred families in need, many of them affected by the devastation of the global pandemic. Stories of families interviewed by our reporters will appear in the newspaper and online between now and December 24.
Also this year due to the hardship in our communities caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Operation Holiday will make cash donations to local food pantries so that families will have access to food during the winter months.
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.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, the food packaging program will not take place this year. Families instead will be given gift cards for food in addition to the gift cards for gifts.
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, 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.