Gift of Warmth helps Portsmouth family stay in home for Christmas
PORTSMOUTH — There might be nothing more heartbreaking than the thought of having nowhere to live, in the winter, as Christmas approaches.
That was almost the case for Donald and Christy Brown of Portsmouth, and their three children. When Donald lost his job, he fell behind on his rent. That's when Rockingham Community Action and Southern New Hampshire Services stepped in and paid his past due month of rent.
"We had gotten a notice of eviction, and I had nowhere to turn," said Brown. "I went to City Hall for help, and they referred me to community action. I went and they helped us."
Brown has since gotten a new job and said he's hopeful his family is back on track.
"I can't say enough about the people at community action," he said. "While no one wants to have to ask for help, go if you need to. It was a surprisingly pleasant experience. The people there listened, and they understood that sometimes things happen that are out of your control."
Brown said he had reason to seek help from a different agency in the past and his experience was much less positive.
"The people at that other agency made me feel small," said Brown. "So, I really had to think about going to ask for help again. But I would tell anyone who needs a hand to go. They were just so nice to us. If they can help you, they will."
Money donated to Gift of Warmth by the generous readers of Seacoast Media Group publications goes directly to the Strafford and Rockingham county community action programs, which help our neighbors in need stay warm when the weather turns cold.
How to donate to Gift of Warmth
This year, we ask that checks to Gift of Warmth be made out directly to either Rockingham Community Action or the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County. Please write “Gift of Warmth” in the check memo line to ensure the money goes for fuel assistance.
Checks can be mailed to Gift of Warmth, Seacoast Media Group, 210 Commerce Way, Suite 330, Portsmouth, NH 03801. We will tally the checks, record the names of each week’s contributors and then forward the checks on to the two county community action programs. Each week throughout the campaign, Seacoast Media Group will publish that week’s donors.
If you need help
To apply for fuel assistance, call Rockingham Community Action at (603) 431-2911. People experiencing any significant hardship or financial crisis can also call and they will be referred to the appropriate person. For more information, visit snhs.org.
For Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, call (603) 435-2500 or visit straffordcap.org.
Recent donors include:
Myrtle Moore, $200.
Wendy Kessler and William Bland, $100.
Linda Cunningham, $100.
Anonymous, $1,500.
Stephen and Sue Tober, $300.
Paul and Joan Stowe, $100.
Anonymous, $250.
Elizabeth Murphy, $100.
Bruce and Julie Lindsay, $100.
Patricia and Lance Lollini, $500.
John and Shirley O'Leary, $100.
PJ and GR Welch, $300.
Dee and Mickey, $55.
Robert Snover and Darcy Davidson, $100.
Peter and Kathleen Somssich, $100.
Anonymous, $500.
Anonymous, $500.
Anne Romney, $100.
Thomas and Denise Nies, $250.
Jeff and Maura, $100.
Anne and Bob Mayer, $350.
In memory of T.J. Bassett, $250.
James and Belinda Mulvey, $500.
Rita McPhee-Fusco, $100.
Delta Kappa Gamma Gamma Chapter, $100.
Frederick and Ann Barbour, $200.
Eileen Black and R.W. Waddington, $25.
Sherrill Nixon, $250.
Anonymous, $200.
David Frolio and M. Janine Quinn, $100.
Joan and Margaret Goetz, $100.
David Panek and Barbara Vanbuskirk, $500.
John Martin and Karen Noonan, $50.
Patricia and Anthony Rubbicco, $500.
Christine Eaton, $250.
Nancy Huntingford, $200.
Donna Melillo, $100.
Bartko Family Charitable Fund, $60.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Gift of Warmth helps Portsmouth NH family stay in home for Christmas
