A mother of three in the Portland area fears that she will let her kids down at Christmas, and she wrote to the Portland Press Herald Toy fund for help.
Her husband is disabled and her income varies throughout the year, she wrote.
“We just don’t make enough,” she wrote. “As much as I try to save, bills like rent, electric and food take priority over other things. It saddens me to think that as hard as I try I can’t give my children the things they want. Especially at this time of year. This time is supposed to be joyful, and we try, but I cannot help but feel like I’m failing them.”
She wrote that she just wants to see her son and daughters smiling on Christmas morning.
“I love to see them happy (at Christmas), but I know that I will need help to make this simple wish come true.”
The Portland Press Herald Toy Fund in the Spirit of Bruce Roberts is using donations from readers to provide toys to thousands of Maine children who might otherwise not receive holiday gifts because of hardships faced by their parents.
The fund – now in its 67th year – is accepting applications for toys from needy families in Cumberland, York, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox counties. Applications can be downloaded at pressheraldtoyfund.org or picked up at the Welcome Center desk on the fifth floor of One City Center in Portland. Call 791-6672 to have one mailed to you.
Donations to help buy the toys can be made on the website or by writing checks to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund and mailing them to the fund at P.O. Box 7310, Portland, ME 04112.
For more information and to donate online, go to: pressheraldtoyfund.org.
See more stories about the fund at pressherald.com.
FRIDAY’S DONATIONS
Maura Gallagher Carter $100
In memory of Debbie, who loved Christmas, family & friends. Santa’s Helper $10
In memory of Keeva, Bill & Max $100
In loving memory of Phil, Kay, Tommy and Mildred Casasa $300
In loving memory of our parents, Lloyd & Joyce Mahler, from all seven Mahler children $200
Happy Holidays from Haley & Aldrich Inc. $100
Brian & Carol Keroack $100
Maureen & Ronald Sibley $100
Anonymous $500
Ken Proctor $50
In memory of Uncle Pete $50
Sarah Scully $50
In memory of Kay Nickless and Natalie Brown from Peggy Graham $25
In memory of David W. $25
Anonymous $100
Dorothy Bruce $50
To honor Earl G. $25
Anonymous $100
In honor of Tim Coffey $25
Ron and Barbara Boes $100
Kathy Cote $50
In our hearts forever: Scott Baston $25
In memory of Joan G. $100
David Wheatland $100
Dan and Jeanne Sullivan $40
Sue and George Nichols $100
In lieu of cards from Mr. & Mrs. James Riley $50
In loving memory of Rita and John Greenlaw $100
Ron Quake $500
Meg & Jim Wilson $250
Secret Santa $100
Merry Christmas $100
Michael & Nancy Miller $1,000
Total to date: $84,253.60
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