Christmas Connection suitcase 2021, day 4: give blankets, bicycles, Barbies as a present

For the next week, the Tallahassee Democrat is working with Catholic charities on the Christmas Connection to highlight local families in need of help this Christmas. Here’s how you can help.

CASE # 220: Single mother of 4

This single mother has four children. She is studying special education. She struggled to keep her job during the pandemic and participated in a Getting Ahead program with an agency. The mother does not receive child support.

How you can help:Christmas Connection: How to Change the Lives of a Troubled Local Family

Day 1:Homelessness, illness and adoptions are a burden for families | Christmas Connection Falls 2021

Day 2: Single father, widowed mother trying to make ends meet | Christmas Connection Falls 2021

Critical elements: Blankets – three twins, one queen, one king

Recommended gifts:

Mother, age 36: King blanket, heater, gift cards

Daughter, age 3: baby doll, barbie doll, minnie mouse toy, gift card

Daughter, 11 years old: building blocks / Legos, models, bike and helmet, gift card

Son, 13 years old: craft supplies, soccer / sports equipment, video games for PlayStation 4, gift card

Daughter, 14 years: craft supplies, jewelry / accessories for teenagers, sewing machine for beginners, gift card

CASE # 221: Mother, Son, Adopted Daughter

This single mother raises her birth son and adopted daughter. She should be commended for caring for her daughter without the assistance of other parents. Because of her job, she is exposed to sick and immunocompromised patients on a daily basis. She has been exposed to COVID-positive patients multiple times, resulting in quarantines and lost wages. Her employer recently allowed her to work from home, where she feels more secure and doesn’t have to lose any wages.

Critical elements: Toiletries and detergents; Blankets – a king

Recommended gifts:

Mother, 34 years old: pots and pans, glassware, household items

Daughter, 13 years old: tablet, earplugs / headphones

Son, age 3: arts and crafts supplies, toys with remote control, toys with PJ mask

CASE # 230: Mother with Cancer, Teenage Daughter

This single mother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer and a broken neck in two places. She wears a turtle shell brace to stabilize her bones and takes 14 pills a day and chemotherapy twice a week. The mother lost her father last year after caring for him for 11 years. She experiences medical and financial hardship, tries to come to chemo twice a week and transports her daughter to school and to doctor’s appointments.

Critical elements: Groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and two king-size blankets.

Recommended gifts:

Mother, 55 years old: dishes, glasses, blender, electric can opener, hot air fryer

Daughter, 16 years: teen jewelry / accessories, tablet, radio

CASE # 231: Family of five

This family of five consists of a mother, two sons and twin daughters. The 15-year-old son is in 9th grade at Rickards High School and is on the waiting list for a Medicaid-funded autism waiver. His sisters are attending a head start program and his 17 year old brother is attending a private school.

The mother attended college and is about to graduate from Tallahassee Community College. Her goal is to find work, although her children’s needs make it difficult. Despite child support for the twins, food stamps and social security benefits for a son, she struggles to make ends meet. Since she is out of town, she has limited support in looking after her children. The twins’ father helps with transportation, car insurance, and occasionally when needed.

Critical elements: Cleaning preparations, toiletries and paper goods, clothing for the children, in particular winter clothing.

Recommended gifts:

Mother, age 36: dishes, king’s blanket, clothes – large shirt, 16 pants

Son, 15 years: action figures, tablet, Black Panther action figure

Son, age 17: Old Spice toiletries, art supplies, Nintendo Switch games

Daughter, 5 years old: bicycle with training wheels and helmet, slides and helmet, rainbow high dolls

Daughter, 5 years old: bicycle with training wheels and helmet, slides and helmet, rainbow high dolls

CASE # 239: Grandmother Takes Care of Five Children

This is a family of five children who were adopted by their paternal grandparents after their father passed away. The grandmother lost her husband and son within six months. The grandmother receives part of the death benefit, but does not cover the costs for five growing children. Two of the children have special needs because of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Critical elements: Food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, blankets – 2 twins, 3 queen beds

Recommended gifts:

Granddaughter, age 17: teen jewelry / accessories, nail polish, goodwill gift card

Grandchildren, 16 years old: skateboard, earplugs / headphones, basketball hoop

Grandchildren, 15 Years: Basketball / Sports Equipment, Soccer, Video Game Gift Card

Granddaughter, 14 years old: jewelry / accessories for teenagers, nail polish, goodwill gift card

Granddaughter, 9 years: teen jewelry / accessories, nail polish, calming fidgety

CASE # 264: Mom is a full-time student

In this case, it is a single mother with two children who has struggled with an occupation since COVID. She tried going back to college to complete her degree and has now been able to return with the help of COVID aids. The mother is now a full-time student and is fulfilling her dream of a college degree.

Critical items: three queen blankets

Recommended gifts:

Mother, 40 years old: glasses, dishes, iron, gift cards

Daughter, 9 years old: musical toys / instruments, keyboard, bike and helmet, gift card

Son, 17 years old: earplugs / headphones, CD / MP3 player, gift card

How to help

Donate personally: Drop off items at the Christmas Connection warehouse located at 2990-2 Apalachee Parkway next to the election officer office. The warehouse is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Operating days are November 28th to December 20th. The deadline for submitting donated items is December 15th. Donations can also be made at Morningstar Storage, 5600 Roanoke Trail, Tallahassee. The opening times are from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wishlist: Shop early and easily with the Christmas Connection Amazon wish list. You can view the wishlist on TheChristmasConnection.org website.

Ceiling day: Pick up new blankets and heaters at the Apalachee Parkway location from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A volunteer will help you unload your car.

Donate online or by post: Make a cash donation online at TheChristmasConnection.org or send a check to Christmas Connection, PO Box 20165, Tallahassee, FL 32316.

Adopt a family: Fill out a short application form on the website and a needy family will be assigned to you by the volunteer adoption coordinator. All families are referred to us by social services in the Big Bend area.

Organize a Christmas Connection fundraising campaign or a Christmas party: Gather people from your office, school, church, sports team, family or friends and hold a party or fundraiser to help needy neighbors. You can register online on the website and then collect gifts, gift vouchers and / or monetary donations, which can be brought to the collection point during regular opening hours.

Volunteer: You can sign up on the website to donate your time and talent. Due to COVID, the number of people who can volunteer at the same time is limited.

Most Needed Items This Year: Bicycles, gift cards, blankets, towels, gifts for teenagers, heaters (electric / space), housewares, diapers, and non-perishable groceries. All donations must be new.

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