Christmas Families 2007

Dear Sink Family,
We did it! Together we were able to give two families a wonderful Christmas! After all the money was collected, we had over $1000!
Paula first asked both families to give us a wish list of things that the kids wanted or needed. She also asked the parents to give a list for themselves so that we could give them Christmas presents as well. Then, because of the large response, we (Paula & Stephanie) went through the lists and were able to add some of our own ideas to them. We also thought it would be nice if instead of wrapping the gifts, that we allow the parents to wrap their own kid’s gifts, so that they felt they were contributing. Once it was time to go shopping, we were so excited! The whole time we just kept thinking about how much this was going to mean to them!
We had initially told you that there were two families, but we want to tell you a little about them and let you know exactly what it is you bought for them.

Family #1: Single Mom with two boys, ages 2 & 5
Mom was living paycheck to paycheck when she lost her job in August. She recently found a job, but is struggling just to catch up. Here is what we were able to get them: (* means they specifically asked for the item)

Mom
* Postage Stamps
* Gasoline GC -$50
* Fire Extinguisher
* Plastic Hangers
* James Medical GC -$50
(work uniform store)
Kroger GC - $100
AEP (Electric) Payment - $100
Avon Gift Basket
Wrapping Paper
Tissue Paper
Gift Tags
Tape
Disposable Camera

Boy - Age 5
* Hooded Sweatshirt
* Jeans
3 Long Sleeve T-shirts
* Snow Gloves
* Winter Coat
Sled
Nerf Basketball Hoop
* 35mm Film
* Legos
Moon Sand
* Leap Pad Game
* Bob Evans GC - $5

Boy - Age 2
* Bruce Whatley Book
Sweatshrit
2 Long Sleeve T-shirts
Dress Shirt
* Sweatpants
Sled
Nerf Basketball Hoop
Lite Brite
* Legos
View Finder
* Bob Evans GC - $5

Family #2 Mom & Dad with one boy, age 11
Mom was laid off work all summer and found a job in September. Just a few weeks after starting her job, her husband was also laid off. They are trying hard to make ends meet, but were worried about having extra money for Christmas. Here is what we were able to get them: (again, the * means that they specifically asked for the item)

Mom & Dad
* Pots & Pans
Pizza Hut GC - $20
Applebee's GC - $20
McDonald's GC - $20
Kroger GC - $100
Nipsco (Gas) GC - $100
Money for gift for spouse - $50
Money for gift for spouse - $50
Avon Gift Basket for Mom
Wrapping Paper
Tissue Paper
Gift Tags
Tape
Disposable Camera

Boy - Age 11
* Jeans
* Camo Pants
* Sweatshirt
* Snow Boots
T-shirt
Long Sleeve Shirt
* Neo-Shifters
* Lego Skeleton Tower
* Model Car Kit

We hope that you are all happy with the gifts we gave them and how we chose to distribute the money. Again, we wanted both the children and the parents to have a wonderful Christmas.
As a family, we want to make this the first of many Christmases that we can be a blessing to others. We had so much fun organizing this, and would love to do it again next year, but at the same time, we want to open this up to anyone else who would want to organize it next year. It is a lot of work, but well worth it. Keep an eye out for a family you know that we can reach out to next Christmas.
Thank you so much for your help!