Christmas Cheer, a local nonprofit, is now accepting assistance and sponsorships for more than 1,000 children and 150 elderly residents in need this Christmas season.
“In our community right now there are people who are not expecting Christmas to be very bright. They may have fallen on hard times," according to Christmas Cheer. "They may be ill, alone or elderly. They may be unemployed, unable to work or unable to walk and therefore unable to provide Christmas for their children."
Clubs, churches, businesses, office groups, families, extended families and individuals are invited to experience the joy of giving this Christmas. To help, call (336) 229-9969 or email christmascheer@att.net.
Christmas Cheer Executive Director Dawn Sternal said there are a variety of ways that you can help:
Sponsor one or more children which includes:
- Providing new toys for the child;
- If needed, providing groceries or a gift certificate to a local grocer for Christmas dinner;
- If possible and necessary, providing new winter clothing for the child.
Sponsor an elderly person, which includes:
- Providing Christmas dinner either in the form of groceries, a gift certificate to a local grocer or a cooked meal;
- Providing any other special request that is appropriate.
To select a child or elderly resident to sponsor, call (336) 229-9969 to make an appointment at the Christmas Cheer office, located at 331 S. Main St., Burlington. If you would prefer not to come into the office, you may either call or email christmascheer@att.net and staff can help you select a family.
If you are unable to sponsor a child but still wish to help, Christmas Cheer accepts various donations all year long.
Donations accepted include:
- New toys
- New children’s winter jackets, clothing and pajamas
- Non-perishable food
- Donate cash
- Credit card donations can be made at christmascheerofalamance.org
For more information, visit www.christmascheerofalamance.org.
The following are some of the children and elderly who need assistance this year. The case number associated with each person or family is listed first, followed by a description.
Burlington
- 21-014-1: Struggling to pay expenses on Dad’s meager income, this married couple has requested assistance to help provide Christmas for their younger son (age 13). He needs jeans, shirts, jacket, and tennis shoes, and enjoys radio controlled vehicles, Legos, and a skateboard. A special request would be a tablet or laptop. Food for a special holiday meal would be appreciated.
- 21-033-1: With Mom suffering with neuromyletis optica and unable to work due to treatments which lower her immune system, this couple is struggling to provide financially for their family. Their 11-year-old son needs winter clothing and shoes, and food for Christmas would be welcome. He enjoys fishing, painting and Anime.
- 21-021-2: Due to her 3-year-old son’s disabilities (central processing disorder, asthma, epilepsy), this single mother is self-employed part-time as an Instacart shopper. She has also provided care for her friend’s 12-year-old son for the past year. Without assistance, she will be unable to provide Christmas for the two boys. Her son loves Blues Clues, pretend cooking and Paw Patrol. The 12-year-old boy would love a game for his Nintendo Switch, Baconopoly game and radio controlled vehicle. Both boys need clothing, and food for a special holiday meal would be appreciated.
- 21-060-2: Unable to work due to multiple health issues (fibromyalgia, severe migraines and knee issues), this single mother will be unable to provide Christmas for her 13-year-old son without help. Her son is on the autism spectrum and has DiGeorge syndrome. He had an injury to his knee which requires surgery. Her 10-year-old son suffers with anxiety due to past experiences. The boys both need clothing. Her 13-year-old would enjoy a science kit, Lego sets and a radio-controlled car. His special wish is for a Game Boy. Her 10-year-old son enjoys educational toys, brain teasers and games for his Xbox 1.
- 21-017-3: Working very limited hours, this single mom of three sons has requested assistance with Christmas this year. Her boys all need winter clothing, including jackets, and food for a special holiday meal would be greatly appreciated. Her youngest son (7 years old) would enjoy a skateboard or scooter, a football, and a bicycle (used is fine). Her middle son (11 years old) would also enjoy a skateboard or scooter, Legos, and Spiderman. Her oldest son (16 years old) would enjoy an electric shaver, watch and skateboard.
- 21-022-3: With Mom having recently started a new job after the pandemic, this married family has minimal income to support their family of five. Without help, they will be unable to provide Christmas for their three children. Their oldest daughter (17) would enjoy art/drawing supplies (Anime), bath and body products, and a throw/blanket. Their youngest daughter (11) also enjoys drawing/painting, bath & body products and books. Their son (8) enjoys Legos, science, Minecraft and Pokémon. The children all need winter clothing.
- 21-035-3: This married couple is struggling to provide for their three children and is living with friends to share expenses. Having a severe work injury (hurt back; electrocuted), Dad is unable to work full-time, but does odd jobs to pay the bills. They are requesting assistance with food and clothing for their children, as well as Christmas toys. Their 12-year-old son enjoys art/drawing and football, and would like a gift card for video games. Their 9-year-old daughter enjoys drawing/craft kits, Barbie dolls, and Kindle gift cards for eBooks. Their 4-year-old daughter enjoys ‘My Little Pony’, baby dolls, and a kitchen or tea set. Special requests for the two older children are cell phones, and the youngest would enjoy a kid tablet or other educational toy.
- 21-047-3: Struggling to make ends meet on child support and food stamps, this mother is unable to work due to her 10-year-old son’s medical issues (Dravet Syndrome, seizures and autism). Her three youngest children are all in need of winter clothing, and food for Christmas dinner would be appreciated. Her oldest son (16 years old) would enjoy a watch, electric razor and drawing supplies. Her youngest son (10 years old) loves Hot Wheels and musical learning toys. Her daughter (15 years old) would enjoy a volleyball, hair & nail products and bath & body products.
- 21-019-4: Trying to find work after losing their jobs during COVID, this married couple is struggling to catch up on bills and unable to provide Christmas for their four young children. The family would welcome non-perishable food, and the children all need winter clothing. Their 5-year-old son loves super heroes, basketball and radio-controlled cars. Their 3-year-old son enjoys Paw Patrol, Blaze the Monster Machine and Peppa Pig. Their youngest son (2) enjoys Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig and Blue’s Clues. Their baby girl would enjoy blocks, books, and educational toys.
- 21-024-4: Due to severe asthma which was made worse when she contracted Covid-19, this single mother of four has not been able to work full-time, and is struggling to make ends meet on her meager income. Her children all need pants, shirts, sweaters and shoes. Her daughter (9 years old) enjoys Pop Its, arts & drawing supplies, and bath & body/hair & nails products. Her 8-year-old son enjoys science kits, Minecraft and radio-controlled vehicles. Her 13-year-old son would enjoy cooking equipment, a gift card for video games, and a watch. Her youngest son (2 years old) enjoys Cocomelon, blocks, and ride-on toys.
- 21-030-4: Suffering with epilepsy, asthma and Grave’s disease, this single mother has been unable to work and struggles to pay the bills for her family. Her 17-year-old son had hip surgery and has ADHD. Three of her children have asthma. The children all need clothing, and the family would be grateful for non-perishable food. Her oldest son (13) would enjoy a watch and her 11-year-old son would enjoy a tablet. Both boys would like bicycles and controllers/games for their PlayStation 4. Her daughter (age 10) would love a karaoke machine, baby doll and doll house, and craft kit to make jewelry. Her youngest son (age 3) would enjoy bouncy balls, a motorcycle or riding toy, and Ryan toys.
- 21-031-4: Blind and suffering with diabetes, this single mother is living on a very limited income and will be unable to provide Christmas for her family without assistance. Her 13-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter both have emotional issues (anger disorder, social/mental difficulties). The children all need winter clothing including coats. Her daughter (12) would enjoy drawing supplies, a softball, and hair & nails/bath & body products. Her oldest son (13) would enjoy a science kit, fishing pole and radio-controlled car. Her 8-year-old son would enjoy a chalkboard, activity books and ‘Blaze’ truck. Her youngest son (1) enjoys blocks, books and pull toys.
- 21-034-4: Because of Dad’s epilepsy, it is difficult for him to find work, and this married couple is struggling to pay the bills for their four sons. Because their infant son also has seizures and their 12-year-old son has severe autism, Mom is unable to work outside the home. They would appreciate help with a Christmas meal, and their boys all need winter clothing. Their oldest son (13) would love a monitor for his computer, and enjoys Fortnite. His 12-year-old brother would enjoy a crossbow and hover board. Their 9-year-old son would also enjoy a hover board and Robux to play Roblox. The boys would love a gaming system to share (uses is fine!) Their baby brother (15 months old) would enjoy wooden peg puzzles, Mickey Mouse farmer and a Mickey Mouse riding toy.
- 21-036-4: Living with her aunt (who is paralyzed from the waist down) to share expenses, this couple with four children is dependent on Dad’s meager income. Mom stays home with her youngest daughter (16 months) and is not currently working. Their 10-year-old daughter has asthma. Without assistance, they will be unable to provide Christmas for their family. Their children all need winter clothing, including jackets and shoes. Their oldest daughter (14) would enjoy art/painting supplies, makeup, and bath & body products. Their 10-year-old daughter would enjoy a science kit, basketball and scooter. Their 8-year-old daughter would enjoy LOL dolls, hair & nails/bath & body products and a bicycle. The baby (16 months) would enjoy educational toys, Baby Shark, baby dolls and a ride-on toy.
- 21-006-5: Without help, this single mother will be unable to provide Christmas for her five children on her minimal income. The children all need winter clothing, and food for a special holiday meal would be welcome. Her son (13 years old) would enjoy a Hot Wheels track, Legos and a tablet. Her oldest daughter (11 years old) would enjoy bath & body/hair & nails products, arts & craft supplies, and a bicycle. Her 10-year-old daughter would enjoy LOL dolls, books and baby dolls. Her 6-year-old daughter also enjoys LOL dolls and books, and would enjoy kids’ makeup/nail polish. Her youngest daughter (3 years old) would enjoy a kitchen set with play food, a baby doll, and coloring books/crayons.
- 21-007-5: Caring for their 5 grandchildren on a very limited income, this married couple would appreciate help in providing them Christmas. Their adult son also lives with them to share expenses. Their grandson (13 years old) would enjoy fishing gear, a baseball and a skateboard. Their oldest granddaughter (12 years old) would enjoy chapter books, a skateboard, crochet supplies, and nail products. Their 4-year-old granddaughter enjoys coloring books & crayons, books and a kitchen set. Their 2-year-old granddaughter would enjoy a baby doll with doll stroller and books. Their infant granddaughter (4 months old) would enjoy rattles, stuffed animals, and Playtex bottles and bags. They would appreciate food for a special meal and winter clothing for the children.
- 21-E-044: Living on a fixed income, this elderly woman lives with her son who is also unemployed. She has multiple health issues (hypertension, GERD, high cholesterol and thyroid issues). She would enjoy getting some new clothes (jeans, top, sweater, robe). Food would be appreciated as well.
Graham
- 21-706-2: On disability due to complex PTSD, bipolar disease and depression, this single mother is struggling to pay her bills with no support from family. She would appreciate non-perishable food, and both children need winter coats and other winter clothing. Her daughter (age 8) would love hair & nail/bath & body products, arts/crafts kits, and a diary. Her son (14 years old) is in honors classes and enjoys books and science. He would also enjoy fishing gear, a basketball, and an electric shaver.
- 21-E-719: Suffering from dementia, diabetes, high blood pressure and history of stroke, this elderly lady requires around-the-clock care. Her daughter left her job to care for her mother in her home. She would love to be remembered for Christmas with toiletries, colored pencils, Bingo games, and Word Search books. A Food Lion gift card would be appreciated.
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Elizabeth Pattman is the trending topics reporter for the Times-News in Burlington, covering business, COVID-19 and all things trending. Contact Elizabeth (she/her) at epattman@gannett.com. I'm also available on social media @EPattmanTN on Twitter or @burlingtontimesnews on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Times-News: Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for 1,000 children and 150 elderly in need this Christmas
