The holiday season can be stressful for any parent. For those already struggling to heat their homes and keep the lights on, it can be overwhelming.
The mother of an 8-year-old from the Midcoast described the pressure in a recent letter to the Press Herald Toy Fund. It’s why she and other parents often overflow with relief and gratitude when they know the Toy Fund can help.
HOW TO HELP
To make a donation online or apply for assistance, go to pressherald.com/toy-fund.
Checks made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund may be mailed to 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland ME 04106.
Names of donors are published in the Press Herald, the Sun Journal and the Times Record unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.
“First, I need to say it is wonderful of you to provide help for children who need it. Thank you,” she wrote.
“I am a single mom and it’s always just been me and my son. I am grateful that I can get by each month paying the bills, but honestly every month it’s tight for us. So holidays are very near impossible for me to provide much of anything.
“My son is very smart and respectful and a very wonderful, caring kid. I know if I said we couldn’t do Christmas this year, he would for my sake act OK with it. But he’s still a young child and inside it would crush him and break my heart having to do that to him.
“Anything would help and be so appreciated. Thank you so much.”
Donations from the readers of the Press Herald, Sun Journal and Times Record will make sure her son, and thousands of other deserving children, aren’t left out.
To make a donation online or apply for assistance, go to pressherald.com/toy-fund.
Checks made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund may be mailed to 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland ME 04106.
Names of donors are published in the Press Herald, the Sun Journal and the Times Record unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.
TODAY’S DONATIONS:
(note: some donations include an additional amount to cover transaction fees)
In honor of our wonderful grandchildren – Piper, Scarlett, Dylan,Camdyn, Memphis and Iris. Merry Christmas, Grammy and Grampy Floyd. $120
Thank you for all you do. Anonymous $100
Charlene Wax $250
Carole Logan $100
Beverly Deschambeault $25
Mark Tux Turkel $100
Mark and Martha Gagne $200
In honor of Skyrocket. Thanks for all the smiles you make happen. Amy Shinn $100
In memory of Judy and Charlie. Robert Gips and Karen Harris $200
Ronald and Patricia Harwood $25
In memory of Stanley F Sampson Jr. Ardean Pike and Stacey Steeves $100
Jean Campbell $250
Richard and Nancy Lemieux $250
Anne Harmon $100
Thank you for all you do. Carroll and Pauline Goodwin $100
Anonymous $25
Anne and Werner Scharnetzki $50
Sandy Johnson $100
In memory of Jack – Love and Merry Christmas. Patricia Garvin $150
Merry Christmas! Tsujiura Family $105.52
Axel Shaw $52.91
Aubree Gadbois $52.91
Holden Shaw $52.91
In memory of Dick Jordan Sr., who always believed in Santa. Anonymous $105.52
In loving memory of Ann & George Johnson and Gertrude & Frank Pooler. Anonymous $100
TOTAL TO DATE: $22,616.44
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