Hello + welcome to this tiny space on the internet! I created this blog (+ changed the name twice since) 14 years ago as a creative outlet from my career in the emergency room as a PA. After spending the past 7 (or so) years on social media outlets, I have decided to delete all of the ones associated with this blog and get back to the heart of blogging.
You may remember our community giving project from last year – see here!
There are SO many in need right now and I want to be able to come together with all of you to help. We have 15 families this year and MY GOAL IS TO FULFILL ALL OF THESE and by the power of Christ, I KNOW THAT WE CAN. Every little bit counts and some of these are $5-10 items so just do what you can to help – it will go a long way!
This community will continue to amaze me each and every day. LET’S LIFT THESE FAMILIES UP in PRAYER and what we can do to make their holiday a special one this year. LET’S DO THIS!
Once the item is purchased, it disappears off the list so you won’t see what’s already been purchased!
FAMILIES FOR 2021
1.) The Falcon Family
Nicole’s husband is deployed and she was just diagnosed with breast cancer. As if those two situations aren’t difficult enough, she has two children under 3. No living family on her side and his parents live states away. She could really, really use some help this Christmas! His parents are doing all they can but can only make round trips so often. She’s currently on a leave of absence from work (her company forced her to take a leave due to missing work for appts). This leave is unpaid and in turn she’s missing out on money, so things are tighter than ever. She’s such a strong person and her kids are her world. Christmas help this year would mean lifting a major burden off of a woman who is doing it all while suffocating herself so her kids don’t miss out. Please, please consider her and her family! They would be so eternally great full!
Trying to stay afloat as we navigate our 6 year olds recent Leukemia diagnosis. My husband and I alternate staying at hospital with her as well as with out 2 toddlers who are 1 year old and 2 years old. In addition, they both have December birthdays, and although they don’t really know what a birthday or a party is, we still feel sad we wont all be together to celebrate. We also will most likely be spending Christmas in the hospital, but we are trying to make the most of it. Thank you for your kindness.
Stephanie, a stay at home mom, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare type of blood cancer at age 35. She and her husband have two kids, ages 2.5 and 4. Stephanie has gone through 3 rounds of chemotherapy and will be getting a bone marrow transplant from an unknown donor in December through bethematch.org.
Please also consider encouraging others to join the https://bethematch.org/ registry and/or to donate blood to their local blood bank. Thank you so much!
4.) Abby & Sawyer
Sawyer was diagnosed with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia when he was eight days old. By the time Sawyer was six months old, he was in end stage liver failure and in need of a lifesaving transplant. While waiting for a miracle, Sawyer was in and out of the hospital with many complications, his medication list grew longer, he was extremely jaundiced and itchy, he developed encephalopathy due to toxins building up in his body. He required a feeding tube and high calorie formula to get the nutrition he needed. When Sawyer was nine months old his uncle (Abby’s brother) gave a portion of his liver to save his life. Post-transplant life is often a rollercoaster, but Abby is thankful every single day that her brother was willing to give them this priceless gift and that Sawyer is here with them.
Since Sawyer’s transplant he has developed many food allergies, continues to take many medications every day, and has a weakened immune system. He battled post transplant lymphoma but after months of treatment is now in remission. The specific kind of chemotherapy that he underwent targeted a very specific part of his immune system weakening it even further and causing him to have several hospital stays for illnesses and fevers. Sawyer now gets infusions to boost his immune system however he is allergic to the infusion and although it helps him long term he is sick for days after and often hospitalized.
Sawyer’s mom Abby has been a single mom since Sawyer was four months old. She manages all of his medical care and takes care of Sawyer full time while also owning and running her own business. She is an active volunteer of Donate Life and is now their DMV ambassador in her area.
My sister has 6 kids and is a single mom. This year she has faced multiple struggles, but in October was her hardest one. She was rushed to the ER after an abscess in her mouth became nearly fatal. She developed Ludwig’s Angina and due to her airway being compromised, she had to get a trach inserted and was life flighted to a bigger hospital. She had surgery into her jaw and removed most of her bottom teeth. She spent over a week in the ICU. She doesn’t have much, but when she does have something, she is generous and will give the shirt off her back. She is still recovering and the kids are temporarily separated with family members until she’s feeling better. This has been unimaginably difficult on her and the kids. I’d love to lift their spirits and help give them a better Christmas and take some worry off their minds.
An amazon wishlist set up for a family of 5 in East Hampton CT, who is starting from scratch after losing their home in a hurricane. They are a hard working family, who is having a difficult time making ends meet. We are hoping to get them back on their feet by providing house hold essentials.
On August 30th our miracle baby, Noah, was born through emergency C section! All throughout my pregnancy we were told his chance of surviving post utero was slim due to a genetic mutation that causes smooth muscle dysfunction, but God is good and Noah is here and fighting hard to beat all of the odds stacked against him! After spending 6 weeks in the NICU, we were able to bring our sweet boy home. We daily have to catheterize him as his condition prevents him from being able to drain his bladder independently. Many of the items on this list are for his catheterizations. Thank you so much for loving on our baby boy and helping our family afford different items for him! We are so thankful!!
James served in the Army for a little over 7 years and became a Wounded Warrior Advocate as soon as he got out of the Army. It is in his blood to take care of others and to simply give back. These Wounded Warriors were led by James to find hope in their recoveries as well as finding rewarding careers in the civilian sector. He did everything he could to cope with these warriors and spent countless days with them watching their daily challenges. This began to impact his personal well-being and took a serious toll on him mentally. James spiraled out of control and forgot the most important aspect of mental health. Take care of yourself first. James was relieved of his position due to his lack of performance from the underlying issues he was facing internally as well as at home. He has been out of work since April 2021, his home is in forbearance, and his wife, Emily, has now started a maid cleaning service to try and assist with daily life expenses. They have 3 children ages 11, 7, and 2. This family can use some help getting through the holidays. James is remaining positive and is actively searching for a career to support his family.
“I’d like to nominate my sister and her family for this year’s Community Giving. She is willing to go out of her way to help anyone in need and is always there, no questions asked. Her husband (high school sweetheart) was diagnosed with leukemia and they have 2 beautiful daughters. They dreamed of a big family but his diagnoses won’t allow them to. His leukemia is taking a toll on his mental health and it’s devastating to see my sister and her family mourn over his health. I know they started to live off their savings due to the pandemic. Her husband was fired from his job because their girl’s got sick and they missed work in order to switch off taking care of them. He has yet to qualify for unemployment and it’s been almost 4 months. I would love for a Christmas miracle to help them this year put gifts for my nieces under their Christmas tree.”
Tammy recently suffered a stroke and now requires 24-hour care. She can no longer take care of herself and has limited mobility, limited use of one side of her body including her arm/leg. Mike, Tammy’s husband, works hard to provide for their needs while still taking care of the house, taking care of Tammy, cooking meals, cleaning, etc. Mike and Tammy are in need of basic necessities to help with groceries, meal preparation, care of Tammy, clothing items, and a couple items to encourage their spirits and brighten their days. In addition to daily use items, there have been enormous expenses including making the house handicap accessible, a motorized wheelchair, a handicap accessible vehicle, in-home hospital bed, etc. All funds donated through Venmo will go directly towards Tammy and Mike’s needs and for care for Tammy.
2021 has been a tough year for our family. On January 9th, we lost our beautiful mother, Ronda, to depression. She was an amazing woman, mother, sister, aunt, friend, wife, and nurse (17 years). She was so loving, kind, and the sunshine in our world. A few months later, on May 8th, I gave birth to my son, Merrick Joseph at just 18.5 weeks as his heart had stopped beating for an unknown reason. Making him, mine and my husband Xavier’s, third Angel baby. Again in September we had another loss, but at 5 1/2 weeks. In October, Xavier and I had been awarded custody of my teenage sisters, Cadence (16) and Lana (13). Our father has struggled with addiction for a while, which had escalated further after our mother’s death. And most recently, my father in law, whom I had been helping to take care of for the last few months through home care, passed away on his 64th birthday with my husband and I at his side. Even though this year has been one full of pain, our family has stayed resilient and we are trying to heal and continue on with our lives. We appreciate everything so much. This is truly amazing. -Alyssa
Thank you so very much for adopting this family for Christmas. This list is for a set of 12 siblings (10 accounted for on this list), ages infant -15 years who recently came into care in the foster system. While I am unable to disclose many details about their situation I can tell you that they have been through a lot over the years. They have never been taught proper hygiene or nutrition, and never had any sort of medical care. Many of them struggle with food insecurity and are learning for the first time how to care for their bodies. More than toys, these kiddos long for the things that we take for granted- cool toothbrushes, nice water bottles, and fuzzy blankets. Because the family is so large, the children have been split amongst 4 families, who are doing their best to keep the kids in contact at birthday parties, park dates, sleepovers, etc. While these families are working through trauma, counseling, getting medical care up to date, etc, I would love to take the financial stress of the holidays off for them. I have been in touch with each of the foster families of these siblings and have compiled a list of needs for each child, as well as a gift or 2 for Christmas and organized it by age. For many of them, they will be celebrating Christmas for the first time. Thank you again for blessing them this holiday season!
Venmo: @nicolemarines | PayPal: nicoleLmarines@gmail.com. (the middle initial L is missed often)
My children and I left a very abusive home several months ago, it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. As a result, we ended up homeless from being in a domestic violence shelter, my children and I lost everything, resources are scarce but we make the most out of everyday and one day I will fulfill my promise to my kids for our new forever home. My one and only wish is for my kids to feel normal again. To have the same chance as everyone else, I’ve added simple things the kids lost and educational items that will help my kids get back on track after being setback this year. My kids have been home schooled and I am blessed to have children who want nothing more but to learn. Thank you for taking the time to show my little family a bit of your light and kindness.
“I’d like to nominate my coworker, Shabnam. She works as a clinical assistant in our OB department at a community health center in the greater Boston area. She is awesome; always eager to help, enthusiastic, and a true team player. But this past year has been really hard for her too- in the few weeks approaching the collapse of the former Afghan government and the takeover by the Taliban, she told us her husband was living in a tent, in a forest, hiding from the Taliban, fearful for his life. Then when the US left Afghanistan, we nearly lost all hope that he would never be able to leave Afghanistan. Shabnam was always at work, trying to be cheerful and optimistic, but sometimes she’d come to the nurse’s office and collapse in tears, worried about her husband and that he would get killed by the Taliban, or that he could never leave Afghanistan, reunite with her, and never meet their son; their son just turned 1 years old. My coworkers and I were frantically emailing our senators and President Biden to see if they could assist in his escape, but there was so much danger at the Kabul airport that he couldn’t get inside.
Thankfully, recently, her husband found a route to escape to a neighboring country, and he made it! So he is still alive! When we found out, all our OB department was nearly in tears of joy to know he had escaped. Shabnam awaits until his VISA can be processed so he can immigrate to the US and meet her and his son.
In the meantime, more Afghan families have resettled in our area and as they are our patients, we have been trying to connect them to local agencies to get assistance and resources. My coworker Shabnam has gone above and beyond- even though she, her son, mom, and grandma do not have much as they are former refugees themselves- she goes out of her way to translate for these families, she even bought maternity clothes for one of our OB patients who is a new arrival, and invited them to her home and cooked dinner for them. I do not know anyone with a heart as big as hers.”
Melinda, my sister, and her partner Michael have been experiencing hardship the last few months. Michael, who is a veteran and owns his own handy man business- was diagnosed with Guillan Barre syndrome. The severity is that he is now paralyzed from the waist down, and until recently there was an unclear diagnosis. With time, and PT he is told he could make a full recovery. But there’s no telling how long. Since he can no longer work, he has to give up his handy man business and they are now faced with living on a single family income. The financial strain has become hard on the family and on my sister Melinda who is working several day stretches just to get by. We have put together a list of items that would be helpful to get them through this and the holiday season. Thank you for your kindness, it means so much!
