Wish letters 320-341: Family barely meets bills, needs help for Christmas

FROM STAFF REPORTS • NOVEMBER 18, 2009

Things are very busy at the Christmas Wish Distribution Center as volunteers work feverishly to fulfill the wishes of 400 applicants. The center would not exist without the help of local businesses. Special thanks is extended to those who have donated for the center:
M.C. White — building
Home Depot — shopping carts
Twin Lakes Gun Club — tables
Buford Volunteer Fire Department — chairs
NABORS Sanitation — trash bin
Kinetico — drinking water
Butler Furniture — used furniture
Bob Kromenaker — computer for the office.
The center is in need of the following donations for the women's department:

Panties, sizes 10 and larger
Bras, sized 40D and larger
Sleepwear, all sizes
Sweatshirts, small and extra large
Sweatpants, large and extra large.
A few more wishes have been adopted by area residents. They are wishes 189, 214 and 310.

Wish volunteers need more information from the following applicants. They should call the Wish Distribution Center at 488-0010 or Cathy Neider, director, at 404-4235.

Single mother who lives at 114 Mill Creek Lane in Norfork
Couple who received mail at HC 82, Box 412
Single mother living at 45 Morello Drive in Mountain Home
Here are the wishes of more applicants:

Wish 320— "My husband's hours got cut down, and he is the only one of us that is working," this mother writes. "We have three children and another one is due in March. We barely have the money to make it every month and to buy any extra toys the kids may want is hard. We would really appreciate the help." Boy, 4, wants SpongeBob bedding for twin-sized bed, age-appropriate toys, bike, helmet and pads and outside toys; girl, 2 1/2, wants Tinkerbell bedding for toddler-sized bed, bike, helmet, pads and age-appropriate toys; girl, 1, likes Care Bear bedding and toys, walking and riding toys that make noises and inside-light-up toys that make noise. All need pants, shirts, shoes socks and underwear. The youngest needs Huggies diapers, as she is allergic to other brands.

Wish 321 — "My husband is on disability, and we get that once a month. It all goes on bills and living expenses," this mother writes. Boy, 10 months, wants things that light up and make noise and a bouncy ball, and needs pants, shirts, socks, pajamas, shoes and bottles.

Wish 322— "We are living at Gamma House," a mother writes. "I don't have a job, and I have an 8-month-old baby that needs clothes. Girl, 8 months, likes music toys with lights, and needs shirts, pants and warm outfits.

Wish 323— Single mother of two just got laid off and also needs help with electric bill and rent. "I don't have a vehicle or any help with child support," she writes. Girl, 5, wants a dry-erase board and easel, puzzles, movies, dress-up clothes, sheets and bedspread for twin bed; and boy, 1, needs high chair, trucks, tractors and toys with lights and sounds. Both need pants, shirts, shoes and socks. The youngest needs size 5 diapers.

Wish 324 — "Our family of six with a stay-at-home mom lives week to week with my husband's full-time income paying almost all the bills. We have had an even harder time this year with more medical bills than usual with the birth of our newest blessing. Thank you and may God bless you." Boy, 11, wants LEGOs, wrist watch, Nerf gun, "Adventures in Odyssey" and Christian CDs; girl, 9, wants "The Search for Noah's Umbrella" DVD, "Pure NRG" Christian CD, books by Andrew Clemens and bomb Nerf gun; boy, 6 1/2, wants Over The Door Hot Wheels/Matchbox hanger, cat or dog Kid K'nex, bike and LEGOs; girl, 2 1/2 months, likes walk-behind toys, riding toys that she can push with her feet and age-appropriate toys. All need underwear, shoes, jeans, socks and warm clothes. The youngest need size 2 diapers.

Wish 325 — "My husband has been out of work since last November due to a back injury. As if that hasn't made it difficult enough with seven children, I was laid off from my job in May. Even with some outside help, it is a challenge to make the monthly bills," this mother writes. "I really would like for my children to have a decent holiday and would appreciate any and all help in making this happen." Girl, 17, wants DVDs, books and headphones; boy, 15, wants DVDs and music; girl, 14, wants DVDs and a bike; boy, 8, wants a bike, helmet and pads; girl, 7, wants Hannah Montana items, Hair Ponies, bike, helmet and pads; boy, 5, building blocks, LEGOs, bike, helmet, pads; girl, 4, wants a Barbie, Light Bright, bike, helmet, pads; all need jeans/pants, socks, shirts, shoes.

Wish 326 — "I'm a single parent of two children, and I'm on disability," a mother writes. "I can make my monthly bills, but things like Christmas and birthdays are really hard for me. I only make the minimum that you can get on disability. Without your help my children aren't going to have a very good Christmas this year. Any help would be very appreciated." Boy, 10, wants anything Star Wars and a bike; and girl, 8, wants anything High School Musical, bike and Hannah Montana. Both need pants, shirts.

Wish 327 — A single mom says this is the hardest year ever. "We had to sell our house due to lack of income. I receive no child support," she writes. "My daughter has had to have three surgeries in St. Louis and has two more coming up. I lost my job due to having to take care of my daughter's medical needs. Now have a new job and work as many hours as I can to keep bills and medical expenses paid. Any help would help put smile on my kids faces." Girl, 15, wants a bike, exercise ball and anything Bombers; and boy, 14, wants fishing stuff and camo for hunting. Both need pants, shirts and shoes/boots.

Wish 328 — "Because of several health problems (surgeries) this past year, we need some help. Also, we usually have some outside work of odds and ends, but not much this year," this grandmother writes. "The children look to us to help them in their needs. Throughout the school year, we try and help with this, snacks or book orders, which extra reading helps, I think. As grandparents we really need help this year." Girl, 9, loves horses, third-grade-level help books and a baby doll; and boy, 11, wants cars, trucks, games and age-appropriate toys. Both need jeans, shirts, coats, underwear and warm blankets.

Wish 329— Mother of three just filed for divorce from an abusive husband, and the family has not been able to stay in their own home for fear of what he might do. "My kids need a bright Christmas to give us hope," she writes. "To those who help and even those who don't, God bless you." Girl, 16, would like makeup, earrings, a flat-iron, brush set, perfume and any age-appropriate toy; boy, 11, wants trucks, fishing or hunting items, card games, a basketball and any age-appropriate toy; and boy, 8, likes cars, fishing or hunting items, games, Bakugans and a soccer ball. All need shirts, pants, socks and coats.

Wish 330 — Because parents have had their hours cut, the family is barely living check to check. The have fallen two months behind in utilities and rent just to put groceries on the table and gas in the vehicles to get to and from work. Mother doesn't think they will be able to give their boys "any sort of Christmas at all without the help of Christmas Wish." Boys, 6 and 5, love LEGOs, super heroes, Star Wars and art supplies. Both need jeans and shoes.

Wish 331 — Father is the only one working, and he's struggling to make ends meet. Mother feels bad about asking for help, but she needs some assistance in order to give her children a nice Christmas this year. "We are doing the best we can, and any gifts will be greatly appreciated. God bless you all," she writes. Boy, 6, would like a bike, Hot Wheel race set, Transformers and GI Joe; and girl, 4, wants a bike, Barbie doll house, toy baby swing or chair, dress-up clothes, Dora the Explorer and Hannah Montana. Both need shirts, pants, coats and shoes.

Wish 332 — Single mother of two was recently laid off work due to the poor economy and is struggling to make ends meet. She would be thankful for any help. Girl, 5, loves Hannah Montana, books, coloring books and educational toys, and needs pants, shirts, socks, coat, gloves, hats and underwear. Boy, 7 months, likes cars, toys with lights and sounds and educational toys. Both need pants, shirts, coats and socks. She needs gloves, hats and underwear; he needs pajamas.

Wish 333 — A single, unemployed mom has a limited income. She is working hard in school to complete her degree. "Last year Christmas Wish gave my children a very merry Christmas. Thank you," she writes. Girl, 11, wants a bike, books and Pet Shop animals, and needs pants; boy, 8, wants a skateboard and an army play set; girl, 7, wants Barbies, guitar and Mind Flex game; and girl, 17, wants a sewing machine, bike, books and CDs.

Wish 334 — This single mother is working only part time. Even though she receives some assistance with rent payment from her son's Supplemental Security Income, her take-home pay barely covers the bills. She is worried her children will not have a good Christmas. Boy, 8, likes Transformers, trains, LEGOs and Goosebumps books; and girl, 2 1/2, likes Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, baby dolls and age-appropriate books. Both need pants, socks, winter boots, winter shirts and underwear.

Wish 335 — Single mother of three receives a small amount of child support and has no family that can help with gifts for her children. Any assistance would be appreciated. Girl, 12 1/2, likes makeup, a mini trampoline, "Twilight" books and any age-appropriate toy, and needs tailored jeans, long-sleeved shirts, winter coat and winter boots. Girl, 10, likes Operation SpongeBob SquarePants Skill game, books and any age-appropriate toy, and needs jeans, long-sleeved shirts, winter boots and socks. Boy, 3, likes Play-Doh Magic Swirl, Ice Cream Shop and books; and needs jeans, socks, winter boots and long-sleeved shirts.

Wish 336 — The father of this family has congestive heart failure and is hospitalized. The mother is unemployed and looking for work. Her two children will not have a Christmas without help. Girl, 12, would like a "Twilight" DVD, Twilight-series books, board games and any age-appropriate toy; and boy, 3, likes monster trucks, race cars, remote-control cars and airplanes. Both need pants, shirts, underwear and socks.

Wish 337 — A single mother has one child with epilepsy, receives a small amount of child support and is drawing Supplemental Security Income. The two incomes do not cover any extras. Girl, 15, would like rock CDs and DVDs, books, board games and any age-appropriate item, and needs jeans and shirts.

Wish 338 — This single mother writes her son's Supplemental Security Income is their sole income. She drives him to a special school in Harrison every day, and after paying for the gas, there is not much money left for Christmas. "Any help with Christmas gifts would be great," she writes. Boy, 14, likes cars, trucks, handheld games and a queen-bed set, and needs jeans, shirts socks and shoes; and girl, 3, likes anything Tinkerbell and learning toys, and needs pants, shirts, socks, shoes and underwear.

Wish 339— A mother of a handicapped child and an older child cannot afford Christmas because her mother, who lived with her and shared expenses, recently died. Her mother always helped with the gifts, but now that she has passed, there is no money for Christmas. Boy, 16, would like an archery bow, weight set, boxing gloves and a mountain bike, and needs jeans, T-shirts, hunting boots and hunting clothing.

Wish 340 — Father is unemployed and looking for a construction job. The family only can afford the barest essentials. Even though these two young children don't understand the real meaning of Christmas yet, the mother wants them to be happy. "They are good kids," she writes. Girl, 6, would like a Barbie, baby doll, dress-up clothes and movies; and boy, 5, likes cars, Batman, Spiderman and movies. Both need socks, pants, shirts and jackets.

Wish 341 — Father is laid off due to the bad economy and is having a hard time making ends meet. Mom is a full-time student at Arkansas State University and will graduate in May. These parents need help with groceries and would like a little something to put under the tree for their daughter. Girl, 16, likes movies, hair clips for thick hair, 1,000-piece puzzles and art supplies; she needs sneakers, ankle socks, sweat pants and underwear.