Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for 1,000 children and 150 elderly in need this Christmas

Elizabeth Pattman, Times-News
·15 min read

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.

More Residents In Need: Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for 1,000 children and 150 elderly in need this Christmas

More Residents In Need: Christmas Cheer seeking sponsors for 1,000 children and 150 elderly in need this Christmas

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

  • 21-021-1: Living with her sister to share expenses, this grandmother is raising her 6-year-old grandson on very minimal income. She has just recently found a new job and was approved for housing, and is trying to catch up on her expenses. Her grandson needs winter clothing, and enjoys art/drawing supplies, basketball, PJ Mask and Super Heroes. Food for a holiday meal would be appreciated.

  • 21-022-1: Struggling to pay her bills on very low income, this single mother would be very grateful for assistance providing Christmas for her 10-year-old daughter. Her daughter needs hoodies, underwear, and tennis shoes. Special requests are for roller skates, headphones and LED lights.

  • 21-026-1: Living with bipolar disease and depression, this single mother lives with her mother to share expenses. Her 12-year-old son is on the autism spectrum. He needs a jacket, joggers or athletic pants, shirts and shoes. He loves transformers, radio control vehicles and science kits. They would appreciate assistance with food for a holiday meal.

  • 21-027-1: Experiencing a house fire last year has resulted in housing issues and homelessness for this single mother. She and her 12-year-old daughter are currently renting a room from a friend. Mom suffers with ADHD, COPD, anxiety, depression and severe Type 2 Diabetes. Her daughter needs winter clothing, and food for Christmas dinner would be appreciated. Her daughter enjoys anime, chain bracelets and necklaces, and stuffed animals. Her special wishes are for a tablet and bicycle.

  • 21-016-2: Since Mom’s death due to COVID in late September, Dad is caring for his two daughters and struggling to make ends meet. The 11-year-old enjoys jewelry making and painting. The 4-year-old enjoys Baby Alive, LOL dolls and Peppa Pig. Both girls need winter clothing.

  • 21-018-2: Unable to work due to health issues (severe type 2 diabetes, nerve damage, back problems), this divorced mother is struggling to pay expenses on her limited disability income and food stamps. Her 9-year-old daughter has Down Syndrome and breathing issues. Also living in the home are her grown daughter and 2-year-old granddaughter. The 9-year-old would enjoy a CD player or Karaoke machine (she loves to sing!), a Jojo watch, and makeup/bath & nails/hair & nails products. The 2-year-old loves Elmo, Cocomelon and Minnie Mouse. The family would be grateful for nonperishable food, and both girls need jeans, shirts and tennis shoes.

  • 21-021-2: Due to her 3-year-old son’s disabilities (central processing disorder, asthma, epilepsy), this single mother is self-employed part-time as an Instacart shopper. She has also provided care for her friend’s 12-year-old son for the past year. Without assistance, she will be unable to provide Christmas for the two boys. Her son loves Blues Clues, pretend cooking and Paw Patrol. The 12-year-old boy would love a game for his Nintendo Switch, Baconopoly game and radio controlled vehicle. Both boys need clothing, and food for a special holiday meal would be appreciated.

  • 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.

  • 21-024-3: This married couple is struggling to pay the bills for their three young children on Mom’s part-time wages. Dad is currently unemployed and is searching for a new job. The children all need winter clothing. Their older daughter (7 years old) would love roller skates, hair & nails products, a craft kit to make jewelry, and LOL dolls. Their son (age 4) would enjoy Legos, a tool set, Avengers/Spiderman figures and a tablet. The youngest daughter (almost 3) would love Baby Alive & accessories, coloring books & crayons, Cocomelon, and a tablet.

  • 21-013-4: Due to the pandemic, this married couple is struggling to care for their four sons’ needs. Mom and Dad’s jobs have gone from full to part-time, and their expenses are barely covered by the minimal income. The boys all need winter clothing. The youngest (5 years old) would enjoy Paw Patrol figures, a tablet, headphones and a scooter. The 7-year-old and 9-year old boys would enjoy tablets, headphones and controllers for their Xbox 1. The 15-year-old would enjoy a mousepad, keyboard, and headset with microphone for his PC and a wallet.

  • 21-014-4: With Mom on leave after giving birth in October, this married couple is struggling to make ends meet on Dad’s meager wages. They would appreciate help providing Christmas for their 4 children, including food and winter clothing. Their two oldest daughters (13 and 10) both enjoy hair & nails/bath & body products. The 13-year-old would also enjoy drawing supplies, and the 10-year-old likes baby dolls. Their 1-year-old sister enjoys Cocomelon, blocks and educational toys. Mom would love blocks, books and educational toys for the newborn.

  • 21-015-4: Struggling to pay the bills on her minimal income, this single mother is unable to provide Christmas for her four children without assistance. The children all need pants and long-sleeved shirts for colder weather. Her oldest son (12 years old) would enjoy comic books, Pokemon cards and drawing supplies. Her older daughter (8) would enjoy a Barbie doll, activity books and a dry erase board. Her younger son (6) enjoys Hot Wheels, activity books and PJ Mask. His twin sister (6) would enjoy a baby doll, kitchen set, and stuffed animals.

  • 21-007-5: These grandparents are caring for five grandchildren on a very limited income. Their adult son also lives with them to share expenses. They would appreciate help with Christmas, including food for a special meal and winter clothing for the children. Their grandson (13 years old) would enjoy fishing gear, a baseball and a skateboard. Their oldest granddaughter (12 years old) would enjoy chapter books, a skateboard, crochet supplies, and nail products. Their 4-year-old granddaughter enjoys coloring books & crayons, books and a kitchen set. Their 2-year-old granddaughter would enjoy a baby doll with doll stroller and books. Their infant granddaughter (4 months old) would enjoy rattles, stuffed animals, and Playtex bottles and bags.

  • 21-008-5: A recently widowed mother of five boys, including two with special needs, is struggling to make ends meet on a minimal income. One of her sons has autism, an intellectual disorder, a sensory processing disorder and seizures. Another has a heart defect and will be needing open heart surgery. Without help, she will be unable to provide Christmas for her children. Her oldest son (14) would enjoy baseball caps, football and a skateboard. He loves the Carolina Panthers. Her 11-year-old son would enjoy a skateboard or scooter, science kits and drawing supplies. Her 7-year-old son operates on a 3-4 year level and would enjoy a school bus, tractor and 3- or 4-wheel scooter. Her 5-year-old son would also enjoy a skateboard or scooter, Pokemon and super heroes (Thor or Spiderman). Her 2-year-old son would love toys from Luca or Moana movies, a ride-on toy, and educational toys. The boys all need winter clothing, and the family would appreciate food for Christmas dinner.

  • 21-E-024: Currently being treated at the pain clinic for back pain, this elderly widow lives alone with multiple medical issues (history of stroke resulting in seizures, balance problems (uses walker), arthritis). She would love a Walmart gift card since it is hard to find clothing that fits. This would also allow her to get food for Christmas and needed toiletry items.

  • 21-E-025: Struggling to meet basic needs on a fixed income, this elderly lady suffers with elevated blood pressure, heart problems, elevated cholesterol and depression. She would appreciate queen-sized sheets, tennis shoes, toiletry & paper products, and a Word Search book. A special wish is for a winter coat and food or a Walmart gift card.

  • 21-E-026: Living alone on a very limited income, this elderly widow would love to be remembered this Christmas. She suffers from arthritis and uses a walker to assist with ambulation. She also has hearing loss and shortness of breath. Special requests are for queen-sized sheets, bedroom slippers, toiletry & paper products, and Word Search books. She would love a pre-cooked Christmas meal.

  • 21-E-027: Multiple medical issues plague this elderly lady: COPD, asthma, diabetes, diverticulitis & reflux, high blood pressure, back pain, gout, urinary incontinence and congestive heart failure. She would love a blanket, bath towels, jogging suit, winter coat and socks. A pre-cooked Christmas dinner would be so appreciated.

  • 21-E-028: Being treated at the pain clinic for knee issues, this elderly woman also has diabetes, gout, thyroid and GI issues. Living alone on a very limited income, she would greatly appreciate being remembered this Christmas. She would like pajamas, bath & kitchen towels and socks. A Walmart gift card and/or pre-cooked meal would be welcome.

Graham

  • 21-708-2: Due to Covid, this couple both lost their jobs in May and have struggled to catch up with past bills, and have nothing left at the end of the month to buy extras. Non-perishable food would be helpful, and both children need winter clothing. Their 10-year-old son loves sports (football, basketball, soccer, fishing), radio-controlled vehicles and a skateboard. The younger son (age 5) would enjoy sidewalk chalk, fire trucks, arts/crafts and a tool set.

  • 21-709-2: Living with her cousin to share expenses, this mom lost her babysitting job due to Covid quarantine restrictions. She is struggling to provide for her two children, and is expecting another baby in April. Her son (age 3) suffers from Immune Thrombocytopenia. The family would appreciate food for a holiday meal, and the children both need winter clothing. Her daughter (age 7) enjoys LOL dolls, pretend makeup and unicorns. A special request is for a bicycle or tablet. Her son (age 3) enjoys Toy Story and Paw Patrol characters, fire and police vehicles, and farm toys. His special request is for a tricycle or tablet.

  • 21-714-3: Struggling with health issues, this married couple is having difficulty providing financially for their three children. Mom has had two lung transplants and is immune compromised. Dad was injured at work and is back in school, studying criminal justice. They are in the process of adopting the three children who came to them as foster children. Their three-year-old boys (twins) would love a Lego table to share, action figures (Marvel, PJ Mask) and climbing toys. Their daughter (17 months) would enjoy Barbie dolls, Weeble Wobble toys, and foam balls/blocks. The children need winter clothing, and food for a holiday meal would be appreciated.

  • 21-E-703: Living alone with multiple health issues (history of breast cancer, degenerative bone disease, kidney stones, pancreatitis, low potassium, mobility issues), this elderly lady was recently hospitalized due to dehydration. She would love to be remembered this Christmas with a robe, bedroom slippers, kitchen towels and an iron. She loves to color and work crossword puzzles. Food for a holiday meal would be appreciated.

  • 21-E-704: Living alone in income-based housing, this elderly gentleman has diabetes, COPD and back problems. He doesn’t have family close-by, so would appreciate being remembered for Christmas. He would love a queen-sized blanket, bath and kitchen towels, and a pair of jeans; he also enjoys Word Search books. He loves to cook and would appreciate food for the holidays.

  • 21-E-705: This elderly couple is struggling with multiple health issues. The wife has congestive heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD and severe back problems. Her husband has heart problems, COPD, diabetes, high blood pressure and was recently diagnosed with liver cancer. They would enjoy a set of twin sheets, bath and kitchen towels and household cleaning supplies. They both enjoy Word Search books and would appreciate a Walmart gift card to purchase food and toiletries.

Alamance

  • 21-400-2: After her mother died suddenly, this single mother is struggling with bills and needs help to provide Christmas for her two daughters. Food for a holiday meal would be welcome, and the children both need clothing for the winter. Her 10-year-old daughter would enjoy craft kits, drawing supplies and a baby doll. Her 7-year-old daughter would enjoy a Barbie doll, dry erase board and craft kits.

  • 21-402-3: Due to the special needs of their oldest son (low muscle tone, sensory processing disorder, developmental delays), this married couple is struggling to make ends meet. They have both missed a lot of work this year due to sickness and quarantine restrictions. Their daughter (18 years old) would enjoy adult coloring books, paint supplies, books and a watch. Their oldest son (13) enjoys dinosaurs, Beyblades, puzzles and science. Their youngest son (10) enjoys history books, super heroes, wrestling and transformers. The children all need winter clothing, and food for Christmas dinner would be appreciated.

Haw River

  • 21-E-800: Living alone with multiple medical issues (high blood pressure, arthritis, elevated cholesterol, leg cramps, retina problems and osteoporosis), this elderly lady would appreciate help at Christmas time. She would enjoy a lap blanket, bath and kitchen towels, a pair of bedroom slippers and warm socks. A Food Lion gift card would be helpful for food and cleaning supplies.

Mebane

  • 21-E-900: Living on a fixed income, this elderly couple is dealing with significant health issues. The husband had a stroke and is unable to work. His wife has COPD, diabetes and heart failure. They lost a sister this year to COVID. A gift card to Walmart would be helpful and appreciated. They also need queen-sized sheets and throws. The husband would appreciate pajamas, socks and an electric razor. His wife would enjoy slippers and earrings.

  • 21-E-901: With limited financial resources and multiple health issues, this elderly lady is followed by the PACE program. She would appreciate a sports bra, hearing aid batteries and a light-weight hoodie.

Elderly with Children

  • 21-E-007C: With legal custody of her grandson, this grandmother is struggling to make ends meet on a very limited income, and would welcome help this Christmas. Her grandson needs a winter coat, and would enjoy a basketball, weights, football, watch and slime.

  • 21-E-008C: Raising her 11-year-old granddaughter who has learning disabilities, this grandmother is also dealing with health issues (COPD and congestive heart failure). She has been having financial problems that make it difficult to provide Christmas. Her granddaughter needs winter clothing, and would enjoy LOL and Barbie dolls, board games, and art/craft supplies. Her special wish is for a bicycle. The family would be very grateful for food for a holiday meal.

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