All contributions go directly to the people who need your help. The sponsors of Share Your Christmas -- the Durham County Department of Social Services, Volunteer Center of Durham and The Herald-Sun -- donate the administrative costs of this program.
To make a financial contribution please make your check out to the Share Your Christmas Program and mail to PO Box 3374 Durham, NC 27702.
Case 345: For this widow, it is hard enough making ends meet for herself, and it got harder when she opened her heart and her home to her 17- and 10-year-old grandsons. Stricken with a number of illnesses, she has many medical and medication expenses to cover and finds there will be nothing left for holiday cheer. You can help her make her Christmas merry and bright by helping undershirts (medium and XL), underwear (12-14 and men's L), and socks for the boys; they each need a hooded winter jacket and gloves. Grandma just wants some new curtains, chocolate brown, one pair 133 x 84 and one pair 48 x 84.
Case 354: For this young lady, it's important that she make a joyful noise whenever possible. Very active in her church, she makes time to sing and worship while trying to finish her education. Determined to achieve this goal, she has excellent attendance and is also taking night courses in order to make sure that she can graduate. She lives with her father, grandmother and 2-year-old daughter. Dad and grandma do what they can, but both work minimum wage jobs with fluctuating hours. Her family encourages her with words, but can do little more. Dad is a proud UNC fan who wishes for a Tar Heel hat, shirts size 2X, pants 36x40, and a DVD player. Grandma needs shirts size M, a size 8 night gown, lotion and soaps, and food storage items. The client has requested a digital camera to document her daughter's special times, shirts size XL, a dress 14-16, and shoes in size 8. The little one needs warm socks, boots or shoes in size 2, baby clothes in size 24 months, baby wipes and a musical toy.
Case 357: Life got a lot tougher on this family recently. Already struggling as the sole provider for three small children, this mother found herself evicted from her home. Unable to find employment for several months, she was forced to rely on the kindness of friends to take in her family, but they know they'll have to move soon. The family is looking for basic necessities: bath towels, laundry detergent and diapers -- and can all use some warm clothing. Daughter, 5, needs underwear sizes 8-9, clothes and a winter coat size 5-6. Sons, 3 and 2, need underwear size 5, clothes and winter coats sizes 4T and 2T-3T. Mom wears size XS-S and needs long sleeve shirts, sweaters, jeans (size 2), a winter jacket (size S), and socks. She would also truly appreciate age appropriate educational toys and books for all three kids.
Case 376: Fighting his way back into society was hard for this father, but he wasn't done fighting after being released from incarceration. He kept working hard until he regained custody of the child in foster care and of the two children whose mothers were not caring for them adequately. Hope has come back into his life with a new marriage, but he and his wife now look after five children. While he has remained out of jail and is working, making ends meet with this many mouths to feed is a constant challenge. The kids range in age from 6 to 16. All need a winter coat, sizes 10 boys, 16 girls, men's large and XL, and women's small. Also needed are blue jeans in sizes 10 boys, 40 men's, 34-36 men's and 6 women's and shirts and sweaters in sizes 10 boys, L and XL men's and women's small. Daughter, 8, wants a teddy bear and a Barbie doll and maybe even a dollhouse. Mom would like a king size bed set, women's XL bath robe and kitchen and bathroom towels. Dad needs a tool kit, a large bathrobe and winter gloves for working outside.
Case 385: Sometimes it's very hard to stay positive when life gets hard. This single mother caring for five small children suffers from mental illness and depression. She's the sole caregiver for her brood, some of whom also suffer from mental illness. Mom does her best to provide, but finds that her condition provides barriers and challenges that are hard to overcome. Give her hope this holiday season by ensuring that her children, ages 8 to 16, have a happy holiday. Their needs are very basic -- household items and groceries, pants in sizes 44x40, boys' 8-10, ladies' 10 and 16, Misses' 8; shirts in sizes 6X, boys' 8-10, ladies' XL, and Misses' medium. The children would each love an MP3 player and the 8-year-old son has a special yen for clothes featuring Transformers and a remote control toy or basketball or football. The 10-year-old girl would like a Barbie hairdressing doll and the 12-year-old would like jewelry.
Case 391: This disabled husband and wife are everything to each other. Both suffer from mental retardation, and the husband is a double amputee. With no social outlet and a very limited income, the holidays promise to be bleak without assistance. This sweet couple only asks to have some gifts to open on Christmas morning. Look into your heart to make their hearts happy. They need comforter sets in sizes Twin and Queen. She would like to have a dress, size 8, as well as jeans and pants in size 8 and shirts and sweaters in size S-M. She also needs gloves, a hat or scarf, a coat size M, some perfume and a pocketbook. He would like T-shirts size XL, sweat pants and shirts size XL, baseball caps, a dress hat, gloves and a coat size XL.
Case 397: Upon losing her job, this mother brought her son back to the area to be near relatives. Hoping for better times here, she finds that the adjustment is much more difficult than anticipated. Still unable to find employment, she now has the additional concerns that her son is not fitting in well at his new school, and suspects that clothes may be part of the issue. Help this young man rebuild his self esteem and establish himself in his new environment by providing pants, 30x32; a red, blue or green shirt in size L; underwear and socks; and size 11 tennis shoes. Mom would like to be able to relax with some bath and body products and a new nightgown and robe, size M, loose fitting and short.
Case 609: Disabled and having a hard time paying the bills, this single mother of two could use some help this holiday season. Clothes, bath items and linens would help.
Case 610: This 12-year old girl is legally blind. Despite her impairment, she continues to have a positive outlook on life. She would be very grateful for anything she gets for Christmas this year. She needs a winter coat, gloves, a hat and a scarf.
Case 611: A single grandmother who is raising her 5-year-old grandson is doing her best to provide him with a loving and stable home. She is a hard worker but is having difficulty making ends meet. The family could use cookware, games and bath robes.
Case 613: This 45-year-old mother of two teenage boys receives disability due to poor health. The older son is trying to find work with no luck. A few small gifts would go a long way towards brightening their holiday.
Case 621: These sisters grew up in foster care, and when the younger sibling began having behavioral problems that uprooted her from her home with a guardian, the older sister stepped up to the plate to help bring them together as a family. She recently started a new job, so the funds are limited to basic needs and no extras. This is the first Christmas in a long time they've been together as a family. Can you help them make some happier memories?
Case 627: This elderly single father does the best he can to provide for his three children, one of whom is a little 5-year-old girl. It is not easy for her growing up without a mother in a house with only males. She is very smart, but often comes to school in tears. There is an Aunt who stops by now and then to help the little girl with her hair, but for the most part, this elderly dad in poor health is alone to care for these children. Their living conditions are quite sad. Please help them this Christmas. They really need it.Case 616: A fire destroyed most of this family's home and belongings in March. A contractor was paid for repairs that he never completed. The father was laid off from his job in June. The father has been doing odd jobs to try to support the family, as well as working to fix his own home with very limited resources. They are in need of basic household supplies as well as toys for the children. They did not ask for help, but stated they would appreciate any assistance they are able to receive. Please help them.
Case 629: Mom recently had a baby. A few days after giving birth, her ovary ruptured, and she nearly passed away. The baby has a medical condition which requires two people to take care of him at all times. Due to this, Dad has had to quit his job to be at home. The other two children are in school and doing well. Mom is involved with the school and actively keeps in contact with them about the kids' progress. The family is very motivated and working hard to get back on their feet. They would really appreciate any support a sponsor could provide.
