Families seek help through Christmas Campaign

SIKESTON -- Christmas is less than three weeks away and many area families are still in need of help to have a nice holiday.

Many people have already donated time and money to the Community Christmas Campaign but more help is needed to make sure as many families as possible have a festive Christmas. One current need is toys. While many have been donated, there still isn't enough to make sure each child receives a toy.

Times have been difficult for this single mother of three. Just two months ago she gave birth to her third daughter and now money is hard to come by, so much so, she had to borrow money to buy a winter coat.

The Community Christmas Campaign can help this family during a difficult holiday season. The oldest daughter, 5, could use some new clothes and wears a large in children's sizes. The middle daughter, 3, wears a size 3 in toddler and her new baby wears a medium in infant.

All three would also love a toy, and some diapers and household items would also make Christmas a little merrier this year.

This family of four has been living in and out of shelters for the past year and are currently staying with another family. It doesn't appear the mother will be able to give Christmas to her two sons and daughter without the help of the Community Christmas Campaign.

The oldest son, 5, needs some shirts and wears a child's large. He would also love a video game. The youngest son, 2, could also use some shirts and a warm jacket for when he plays outside in the winter.

The daughter, age 4, could use a nice dress and a nice doll to play with.

For many years this elderly woman worked hard to help pay the bills and put food on the table, but after her husband died, she was left with only a small social security check each month.

Christmas is a lonely season for her and she would appreciate some food for Christmas with extra to last her into the new year. A warm blanket would also be nice to cover up with while she watches the news in the evening.

After the death of their mother, these six children were sent to live with their aunt and uncle. While their aunt and uncle provide good care, money is short and Christmas isn't looking very merry this year.

The boys, ages 13, 11, 10 and 7 are in need of some clothes and some gloves for the winter. The daughters, ages 11 and 4, could also use some clothes and all of the children would love to have a new toy for Christmas.

Some food for a nice Christmas dinner would also make this Christmas a better one.

This single mother works hard to provide for her three children and gets no child support from their father, who is in prison. Now it looks as if the children's Christmas may be a forgettable one without help from the Community Christmas Campaign.

The son, 10, could use a new winter coat in a youth large and a new toy. The daughters, ages 3 and 2, could use some clothes and wear a two and three in toddler. A nice doll would also be a good gift for them.

The family could also use some food to last them through the Christmas season.

Those who would like to help with the Community Christmas Campaign can call the Standard Democrat office during business hours at 471-1137. Donations can be left at the office located at 205 S. New Madrid. Names of those to receive a Christmas basket are referred to by area organizations and applications are not accepted at the Standard Democrat.