One southern Maine family just received a most precious gift for Christmas.
And the Press Herald Toy Fund likely set a record that will never be broken.
Toy Fund volunteers were greeting parents outside the workshop one afternoon last week as they came in to pick up toys and books for their children. One mother was especially excited when she arrived, driven by a friend.
“She jumped out of the car,” said volunteer Dianne Goodrich, who checked the paperwork and noted that the mom had come to collect gifts for her teenage son and daughter.
“Then she says, ‘I just had a baby this morning!’” The volunteers were stunned. “She was going to come in the building, and I said, ‘No, get back in the car.’” We’ll bring the gift bags to you, Goodrich told her.
The Toy Fund is careful to not identify the families it serves because children going through difficult times deserve to experience the mystery and magic of the season, too.
This baby girl was born Wednesday and is one of thousands of Maine kids receiving gifts from the Press Herald Toy Fund this holiday. Photo courtesy of the family
But the overjoyed mother was happy for us to share her special story, and even some photos of her newborn.
She is a single mother and ran into financial trouble when she began experiencing pregnancy complications.
“We had a high-risk pregnancy and I was out of work most of the year, and that was why I asked for help,” she said.
She was relieved to learn about the Toy Fund and how it provides toys and books for children whose parents can’t afford them. She applied for help in November.
Her baby was due on Christmas Day, and she planned to pick up the gifts for her older kids before going to the hospital. The baby had other plans.
She was born Wednesday morning, weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce.
The Press Herald Toy Fund’s youngest recipient at 2 days old. Photo courtesy of the family
“Everything was great – very healthy, both of us,” she said. “She’s so precious.”
After some rest, the baby’s mother told her nurses she needed to get to her scheduled gift pickup.
“I asked them if they could let me go a little early so I could pick up the gifts for the kids,” she said.
She arrived late that afternoon. This was something the longtime volunteers had not seen before.
“You have to really want your kids to have a good Christmas if you do that,” Goodrich said. “That is truly amazing to me.”
When Goodrich went to retrieve the gifts for the teenagers, she also gathered a bag for the baby: soft toys, colorful rings, a book for infants and toddlers.
We think it’s safe to say her baby is the youngest child ever served by the 74-year-old Toy Fund.
Gift bags secured, the new mother returned to the hospital, where she spent the night with her baby before going home.
She is sure the gifts will be a hit with her older children when they unwrap them Christmas morning.
“We got some really good things, and I think the kids will really like them,” she said when contacted the next day. “And when (the baby) gets a little bigger, we got some nice stimulating-kind of toys. … We really appreciate it. We really do.”
But the best gift this Christmas came in a different little bundle of joy.
“We’re so excited,” she said. “We feel so blessed.”
To make a donation online, 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)
Anonymous …… $105.52
Anonymous …… $105.52
Merry Christmas! Whitney Beeler …… $52.91
Carol Nale …… $42.39
In Memory of Jackie love Davidson sisters …… $52.91
Anonymous …… $31.87
Reese, Ryan & Jordy wish to help children have a Merry Christmas! Barbara Powers …… $100
Merry Christmas! Nikki Theriault and Johnny DiFiore …… $105.52
Linda Lunden …… $31.87
From Miss Amelia and Maria and Dorothy …… $250
In memory of Uncle Paul, a very generous man. B.Y. McKee …… $25
To those less fortunate, Merry Christmas – Finnegan, Abbie, Declan and Julia James Regan …… $100
Daniel Possumato and Ellen Steinbart …… $50
In memory of Adam and Helen Wilson. Georgia Hurtubise …… $200
William and Julie Schirmer …… $30
In loving memory of Steve, Mary, Jack and Betty Hines and Eddie and Bessie Harrigan, from the family. James Hines …… $25
Merry Christmas! David and Kathy Ennis …… $200
For kids in need. Chip Flanagan …… $100
From Addison, Preston and Moses …… $150
In honor of my grandsons, Jack and Theo …… $50
Cumberland County Retired Educators Association …… $100
From Johnny, Kimmy and Elizabeth …… $150
In loving memory of Gary E. From Robert and Janine Cook …… $25
Martha and Hollis McBride …… $100
In memory of Mom, Dad, Tammie C and Mom, Dad O – Linda Jackie. Linda and John Ouillette …… $25
From 11 lucky little kids. Cynthia Hughes …… $100
Maureen Adams …… $150
In memory of my brother, Woody. I really miss your smile. Jerri MacLean …… $315.93
In memory of Guy and Joann Rowen, merry Christmas – Lisa, Lindy, Miranda and Carley. Lisa and Joseph Hammond …… $25
For years of helping children and families …… $25
Wishing everyone a happy holiday! Nana and Pepaw B. …… $250
In loving memory of Carol and Ben Libby, Barbara Pinkham Elwell, from Charlene and Andy Libby …… $100
Emily and Benjamin Swan …… $100
In memory of our wonderful Mom and Grammie, love, Maggi, Caitlin, Colin and Jen. Margaret McLaughlin …… $50
In loving memory of Patrick V.J. McLaughlin, who found such pleasure in sharing holiday joy, from his family, Maggi, Caite, Colin, Jen, Teagan and Cole. Margaret McLaughlin …… $75
In loving memory of the Lachance children. Elsie Foley …… $150
Bill & Polly Vaughan …… $105.52
Merry Christmas season to all. The Supergirls, Addie, Georgia, Sophie, Stella …… $263.33
Royal River Boatyard Crew …… $220
In loving memory of our parents. Cecilia and Ken McNaughton …… $100
In Memory of Our Friend Bruce. Scott & Jayne Munson …… $315.93
In memory of our Clough and Nee family angels. Paul & Mary Clough …… $526.35
Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Brian Huynh …… $31.87
Anonymous …… $100
Anonymous …… $105.52
Christine Kawryga …… $100
Anonymous …… $31.87
More TOY JOY. From MHS Ladies Group …… $100
The Schnapp/Almy Family …… $105.52
Merry Christmas!! …… $21.35
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Kevin, Maggie, and Fox …… $105.52
Merry Christmas …… $52.91
In honor of our parents, sharing the magic they made happen. Patrick and Angela Horne …… $52.91
In Memory of Stormy Malley. Robert Malley …… $263.33
In memory of Barbara Bolster, who loved Christmas. …… $52.91
Tolan Family …… $263.33
In memory of loved ones gone but not forgotten. The Colville Family …… $200
In memory of Paul and Ann Chandler and George and Florence Stewart …… $368.54
Merry Christmas. Russ Lunt …… $20
Kitties and Christmas trees. Beverly Keniston …… $245
In memory of Lexxi, Pennie and Paws. Brew and Cocoa …… $1,000
Anonymous …… $5
In memory of my parents and grandmother. Geraldine Oliver …… $35
Kristine and Masse …… $1,000
Anonymous …… $1,000
Anonymous …… $25
Richard Vaglia …… $100
Tom and Sandra Ingram …… $100
In loving memory of Anita and Edward Ventura and Barbara Pepper – Merry Christmas to all! Ann and Dale Pepper …… $25
Anonymous …… $15
TOTAL TO DATE: $168,591.07
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