A mother and father from the midcoast wrote the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund that they are working hard to support their family, but still need help this Christmas.

“My husband and I both work full-time,” the mother wrote. “We earn minimum wage and do not qualify for other assistance programs. Our family struggles to make ends meet and the holiday season creates an additional financial stress for us.”

Their 7-year-old son has autism “and often our additional income goes to purchasing items that assist with his sensory needs,” she wrote. Any help with Christmas presents will help the family pay to heat its trailer and buy clothes for the boy, she wrote.

“We are a hardworking family that is appreciative of any donations that we may receive. … Thank you for considering us.”

The Portland Press Herald Toy Fund in the Spirit of Bruce Roberts is using donations from readers to provide toys to thousands of Maine children who might otherwise not receive holiday gifts because of hardships faced by their parents.

The fund – now in its 67th year – is accepting applications for toys from needy families in Cumberland, York, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox counties. Applications can be downloaded at pressheraldtoyfund.org or picked up at the Welcome Center desk on the fifth floor of One City Center in Portland. Call 791-6672 to have one mailed to you.

Donations to help buy the toys can be made on the website or by writing checks to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund and mailing them to the fund at P.O. Box 7310, Portland, ME 04112.

For more information and to donate online, go to: pressheraldtoyfund.org.

See more stories about the fund at pressherald.com.

MONDAY’S DONATIONS

In memory of my parents, Ronnie Small   $250

In honor of Mary Melville   $100

Anonymous   $100

The Patashnik family   $100

In honor of our grandchildren, Brad and Brooke, Charlie & Bev   $100

In memory of Nancy Loeffel, by Debby Maley   $50

In memory of my husband, Scott Sutherland, from Nell Sutherland   $40

Anonymous   $100

In memory of Ronald S. Leeman, from Gerry   $25

Merry Christmas from Bud & Laura Ellis   $25

Santa   $20

Peter & Kristen Lemay   $30

Anonymous   $100

In memory of Lynne & Paul   $200

Merry Christmas to the children! Tim Whitney   $25

Work for PEACE   $50

SGC Engineering   $2,000

Amy & Jack Jensen   $200

Anonymous   $50

Total to date:   $71,148.60

 

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