Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for 1,000 children and 150 elderly in need this Christmas
Christmas Cheer, a local nonprofit, is now accepting assistance and sponsorships for more than 1,000 children and 150 elderly residents in need this Christmas season.
“In our community right now there are people who are not expecting Christmas to be very bright. They may have fallen on hard times," according to Christmas Cheer. "They may be ill, alone or elderly. They may be unemployed, unable to work or unable to walk and therefore unable to provide Christmas for their children."
Clubs, churches, businesses, office groups, families, extended families and individuals are invited to experience the joy of giving this Christmas. To help, call (336) 229-9969 or email christmascheer@att.net.
Christmas Cheer Executive Director Dawn Sternal said there are a variety of ways that you can help:
Sponsor one or more children which includes:
Providing new toys for the child;
If needed, providing groceries or a gift certificate to a local grocer for Christmas dinner;
If possible and necessary, providing new winter clothing for the child.
Sponsor an elderly person, which includes:
Providing Christmas dinner either in the form of groceries, a gift certificate to a local grocer or a cooked meal;
Providing any other special request that is appropriate.
To select a child or elderly resident to sponsor, call (336) 229-9969 to make an appointment at the Christmas Cheer office, located at 331 S. Main St., Burlington. If you would prefer not to come into the office, you may either call or email christmascheer@att.net and staff can help you select a family.
If you are unable to sponsor a child but still wish to help, Christmas Cheer accepts various donations all year long.
Donations accepted include:
New toys
New children’s winter jackets, clothing and pajamas
Non-perishable food
Donate cash
Credit card donations can be made at christmascheerofalamance.org
For more information, visit www.christmascheerofalamance.org.
The following are some of the children and elderly who need assistance this year. The case number associated with each person or family is listed first, followed by a description.
Burlington
21-014-1: This married couple is struggling to pay expenses on Dad’s meager income, and have requested assistance to help them provide Christmas for their younger son (age 13). He needs jeans, shirts, jacket, and tennis shoes, and enjoys radio controlled vehicles, Legos, and a skateboard. A special request would be a tablet or laptop. Food for a special holiday meal would be appreciated.
21-016-1: Trying to raise their 12-year-old daughter on disability income, this married couple is struggling to make ends meet. Their medical expenses leave very little to provide Christmas or any other extras. Their daughter needs winter clothing and her special requests include a hover board and a bookshelf; she also enjoys art/drawing and crafts. The family would be grateful for food for a Christmas dinner.
21-032-1: This single mother who has a learning disability lives with her mother for whom she provides care. Her mother has been in the hospital with high blood pressure and diabetes. Her 5-year-old son has a heart condition and obesity. He needs sweatpants, tops and a coat and would enjoy dinosaurs, Pokémon and cars/trucks. Food for a special holiday meal would be appreciated.
21-033-1: With Mom suffering with neuromyletis optica and unable to work due to treatments which lower her immune system, this couple is struggling to provide financially for their family. Their 11-year-old son needs winter clothing and shoes, and food for Christmas would be welcome. He enjoys fishing, painting and Anime.
21-023-2: Working for minimal wages and reduced hours, this single mother is struggling to make ends meet for her two daughters. Both girls need winter clothing. Her older daughter (12-years-old) enjoys art/drawing supplies, crafts and hair & nails/bath & body products. Her 2-year-old daughter would enjoy educational toys, baby dolls and yard toys.
21-031-2: Having lost her main support person, this single mother of two is struggling to make ends meet. Her 10-year-old son has autism, ADHD and tremors. She is on disability due to a broken back and left foot drop. Her son loves Batman, dinosaurs, monkeys and anything to do with fire/rescue. Her daughter (age 9) loves ‘girly’ things – pandas, unicorns, mermaids. The children both need clothing.
21-033-2: Due to organ dysfunction/pain from an ectopic pregnancy, Mom is unable to work, and this married couple is living on her husband’s meager earnings. Their 14-year-old daughter has a 13th Ring Chromosome disorder and operates at a 4-5 year old level. Without assistance, they will be unable to provide Christmas for their two children. Their daughter loves baby dolls and would enjoy a toy phone, a styling head, and wooden puzzles. Their son (age 11) enjoys trucks, cars, Legos, and dinosaurs. The children need winter clothes, and the family would appreciate non-perishable food.
21-044-2: Currently out of work and looking for new employment, this single mother of two is struggling to make ends meet. Without assistance, she will be unable to provide Christmas for her children. Her son (age 9) enjoys activity books, cards, and Legos. Special requests are for a bicycle and games for his PlayStation 4. Her daughter (age 6) enjoys unicorns, dress-up, and Barbie dolls. She has also requested a bicycle and a play kitchen. The children both need underwear and coats, and food for a holiday meal would be greatly appreciated.
21-060-2: Suffering with fibromyalgia, severe migraines and knee issues, this single mother is unable to work. Her 13-year-old son is on the autism spectrum and has DiGeorge syndrome. He had an injury to his knee which requires surgery. Her 10-year-old son suffers with anxiety due to past experiences. The boys both need clothing. Her 13-year-old would enjoy a science kit, Lego sets and a radio-controlled car. His special wish is for a Game Boy. Her 10-year-old son enjoys educational toys, brain teasers and games for his Xbox 1.
21-017-3: Single mother of three sons is working very limited hours and has requested assistance with Christmas this year. Her boys all need winter clothing, including jackets, and food for a special holiday meal would be greatly appreciated. Her youngest son (7 years old) would enjoy a skateboard or scooter, a football, and a bicycle (used is fine). Her middle son (11 years old) would also enjoy a skateboard or scooter, Legos, and Spiderman. Her oldest son (16 years old) would enjoy an electric shaver, watch and skateboard.
21-022-3: With Mom having recently started a new job after the pandemic, this married family has minimal income to support their family of five. Without help, they will be unable to provide Christmas for their three children. Their oldest daughter (17) would enjoy art/drawing supplies (Anime), bath and body products, and a throw/blanket. Their youngest daughter (11) also enjoys drawing/painting, bath & body products and books. Their son (8) enjoys Legos, science, Minecraft and Pokémon. The children all need winter clothing.
21-035-3: This married couple is struggling to provide for their three children and is living with friends to share expenses. Having a severe work injury (hurt back; electrocuted), Dad is unable to work full-time, but does odd jobs to pay the bills. They are requesting assistance with food and clothing for their children, as well as Christmas toys. Their 12-year-old son enjoys art/drawing and football, and would like a gift card for video games. Their 9-year-old daughter enjoys drawing/craft kits, Barbie dolls, and Kindle gift cards for eBooks. Their 4-year-old daughter enjoys ‘My Little Pony’, baby dolls, and a kitchen or tea set. Special requests for the two older children are cell phones, and the youngest would enjoy a kid tablet or other educational toy.
21-047-3: Struggling to make ends meet on child support and food stamps, this mother is unable to work due to her 10-year-old son’s medical issues (Dravet Syndrome, seizures and autism). Her three youngest children are all in need of winter clothing, and food for Christmas dinner would be appreciated. Her oldest son (16 years old) would enjoy a watch, electric razor and drawing supplies. Her youngest son (10 years old) loves Hot Wheels and musical learning toys. Her daughter (15 years old) would enjoy a volleyball, hair & nail products and bath & body products.
21-016-4: Caring for their four grandchildren, this couple is unable to provide Christmas due to very little income. Granddad has AFIB, diabetes and high blood pressure. The oldest granddaughter has sickle cell anemia, and the other three children have asthma. All children need winter clothing. Their oldest granddaughter (12 years old) would enjoy a diary, watch, art supplies and backpack. Their 6-year-old granddaughter would enjoy dolls, Play-Doh, sidewalk chalk and dress-up clothes. Their grandson (8 years old) would enjoy a baseball, drawing supplies, fishing rod, and police cars. Their 10-year-old granddaughter would enjoy a backpack, hair & nails supplies, a diary and watch.
21-019-4: Trying to find work after losing their jobs during COVID, this married couple is struggling to catch up on bills and unable to provide Christmas for their four young children. The family would welcome non-perishable food, and the children all need winter clothing. Their 5-year-old son loves super heroes, basketball and radio-controlled cars. Their 3-year-old son enjoys Paw Patrol, Blaze the Monster Machine and Peppa Pig. Their youngest son (2) enjoys Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig and Blue’s Clues. Their baby girl would enjoy blocks, books, and educational toys.
21-011-5: Recently separated, this mother of five children is diabetic and has other medical issues (depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and sciatica). Three of her children have asthma. She is struggling to pay her bills, and would appreciate help providing Christmas for her children. A special request would be for a bunk bed with double on the bottom and twin on the top, as well as comforter sets for her 2 oldest sons. Her oldest son (almost 14) would also enjoy a skateboard and football helmet, and his brother (13) would enjoy anything military, a PlayStation controller, and a skateboard. Their 12-year-old sister would enjoy bath & body/makeup products, pretty Gel pens, and a comforter set (full-sized). Their 9-year-old sister would also like a full-sized comforter set, pillows for her bed, and a skateboard. She loves dressing up, and would enjoy bath & body products and lip gloss. Their 7-year-old brother loves big construction trucks and fire trucks, dinosaurs, and skateboards. The children all need winter clothing, and food for a special holiday meal would be welcome.
21-012-5: Behind in her bills, this single mother is struggling to make ends meet on her meager income. She would appreciate help providing Christmas for her five children, who all need winter clothing. Food for Christmas dinner would be helpful. Her oldest son (14 years old) would enjoy drawing supplies, fishing gear, Legos and a game for his PlayStation 3. Her oldest daughter (12 years old) would like a mannequin head to do hair, a flat iron, art/drawing supplies and hair & nails/makeup products. Her special wish is for a laptop (used is fine). Her 9-year-old daughter would like makeup/nails products, Barbie and baby dolls. Her 8-year-old twins would like a Play-Doh, Legos and Ironman/Aquaman. Special wishes for the three youngest children are bicycles.
21-E-029: Recently in the hospital due to dehydration and diabetes, this elderly lady also suffers with COPD, high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis and edema in her feet. She would appreciate any help she can receive this Christmas, including bath towels, bedroom slippers and a jogging suit. Her special wish is fruit, food and nuts; she would love a Food Lion gift card.
21-E-030: A recent heart attack and the need for an upcoming knee replacement make it difficult for this elderly lady to get around. She would appreciate king-sized sheets, kitchen towels, pajamas and toiletries. She loves to read Danielle Steele books. A Walmart gift card would be appreciated.
21-E-033: Unable to walk due to swollen feet (congestive heart failure), this elderly lady lives with her daughter. She also had a recent stroke, was hospitalized with Covid, and has COPD. She would enjoy toiletry items, a lap blanket, bath towels, slippers and pajamas. Her special request is for food for Christmas.
21-E-042: Having had breast cancer and lung cancer that are now both in remission, this elderly lady lives alone and also struggles with schizophrenia. She would appreciate a gift card for food and other essentials, as well as a King-sized blanket, pajamas, and toiletries/cleaning supplies.
21-E-044: Living on a fixed income, this elderly woman lives with her son who is also unemployed. She has multiple health issues (hypertension, GERD, high cholesterol and thyroid issues). She would enjoy getting some new clothes (jeans, top, sweater, robe). Food would be appreciated as well.
More Residents In Need: Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for 1,000 children and 150 elderly in need this Christmas
Graham
21-706-2: On disability due to complex PTSD, bipolar disease and depression, this single mother is struggling to pay her bills with no support from family. She would appreciate non-perishable food, and both children need winter coats and other winter clothing. Her daughter (age 8) would love hair & nail/bath & body products, arts/crafts kits, and a diary. Her son (14 years old) is in honors classes and enjoys books and science. He would also enjoy fishing gear, a basketball, and an electric shaver.
21-705-3: Due to COVID illness and quarantine, this single mother has been out of work for several months in 2021, and is currently trying to catch up on past bills while working at very minimal wages. She would welcome food for Christmas dinner, and her three children need winter clothing. Her 13-year-old daughter would enjoy a tablet, makeup/hair & nails/bath & body products, and a throw/blanket. Her 10-year-old son would enjoy Pokemon cards, Dragon Ball Z anything, and arts/craft/drawing supplies. Her 7-year-old son would enjoy a tablet, Pokemon cards, and trucks/cars. Both boys have expressed special desires for bicycles.
21-E-718: Bedridden due to heart problems and anxiety, this elderly lady lives with her daughter and grandchildren to provide care, and would like to be remembered this Christmas. A gift card to Food Lion would be very helpful. She would also like a twin-sized blanket, bath towels and a gown. She enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles.
More Residents In Need: Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for 1,000 children and 150 elderly in need this Christmas
Haw River
21-804-3: With Dad out of work for weeks due to COVID quarantine, this married couple is struggling to pay the bills for their 3 children. They have added expenses trying to finalize Dad’s immigration status as well. Their 13-year-old daughter enjoys art/drawing, and would enjoy a purse/wallet, hair & nails/bath & body products and a soft throw. Her special wish is for a bike (used is ok). Their 10-year-old daughter enjoys science, soccer, and activity books. She would enjoy getting a diary as well. Her special wish is for a tablet (used is ok). Their 7-year-old daughter enjoys Disney princesses, coloring books and crayons, and stuffed animals. Her special wish is also for a bike (used ok). The girls all need winter clothing and food for a special holiday meal would be appreciated.
More Residents In Need: Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for 1,000 children and 150 elderly in need this Christmas
Mebane
21-900-6: Currently unemployed and living with her father to share expenses, this single mom of 6 is struggling to make ends meet, and is requesting help with Christmas this year. The children all need winter clothing. Her13-year-old daughter enjoys fashion, and would like art/drawing/craft supplies, bath & body/hair & nails products, and a badminton set. Her 12-year-old daughter enjoys slime, bath & body/makeup products and craft kits. Her 7-year-old daughter would enjoy Jojo Siwa, a tea set, baby dolls and books. Her 6-year-old son enjoys Spiderman, Flash, Legos and Transformers. His special wish is for a bicycle. Her 3-year-old son enjoys PJ Mask action figures, trucks & cars, and dinosaurs. Her 16-month-old daughter enjoys Baby Shark, musical toys, books and baby dolls.
21-901-6: Caregiver for their 6 grandchildren, this married couple is struggling to pay the bills on Granddad’s salary. The children all need winter clothing, especially winter coats and hats, and food for a holiday meal would be appreciated. Their 12-year-old grandson would enjoy science kits, sports gear (fishing, basketball & football), and a watch. Their 10-year-old grandson enjoys drawing and crafts, math, sports, and fishing. One of their 9-year-old grandsons enjoys books, sports gear (basketball & football), fishing, and radio-controlled vehicles. Their other 9-year-old grandson enjoys football, drawing, roller skates and fishing. The four boys would all love to get bicycles. Their 4-year-old granddaughter would enjoy coloring books and crayons, activity books, dress-up clothes, and a Barbie doll. Their 1-year-old granddaughter would enjoy educational toys that make noise, baby dolls and a ride-on toy.
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Elizabeth Pattman is the trending topics reporter for the Times-News in Burlington, covering business, COVID-19 and all things trending. Contact Elizabeth (she/her) at epattman@gannett.com. I'm also available on social media @EPattmanTN on Twitter or @burlingtontimesnews on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Times-News: Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for families and elderly in need
