Christmas Appeal: Mother and children find safety to celebrate with "found family"

BISHOP — When sisters Laney, 5, and Renee, 2, came to live in southwest Nueces County a year and a half ago, they didn’t know much about Christmas.

They hadn’t really celebrated holidays when the girls and their mother, 21-year-old Lynn, were living with the children’s father. Caught in an abusive relationship, Lynn sought help from two adults in her life when she was pregnant with her third child, 1-year-old Angel.

"We never really celebrated holidays," Lynn said. "Their dad kept us away from everything... and he made us cut off my family but I still stayed in touch with my stepparents."

The children represent thousands who will be helped by the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal. The names of the families profiled have been changed to protect their privacy.

A 'found family' builds new traditions in a safe home

John and Veronica aren’t biologically related to Lynn, but she’d spent time with them when she was younger and turned to them for help and shelter when she needed it. There isn’t a word that precisely describes what John and Veronica are to Lynn, but she calls them her stepparents.

"I didn't have anyone else to call or come pick me up," Lynn said. "But I tried to get ahold of my stepparents and they actually drove a long way to come get me and the kids. I'm grateful that they did."

Now, Laney, Renee and Angel have three adults taking care of them in a safe environment, and Lynn has support and encouragement.

“They all know they have their support system,” Veronica said.

One afternoon in early December, all six gathered the living room, decorated for Christmas. Laney napped under a blanket, tired from a day at school, and ate a bowl of cereal. Renee clung to Lynn, who kept an eye on Angel who was rolling around and giggling on the floor.

Angel took advantage of the open living room space, kept clear so that Laney and Renee can play Just Dance, a dancing video game.

When Angel grabbed a green chew toy favored by one of the family's two small dogs. Renee stepped in, showing her little brother how to give the toy back to the pet.

"They're working really hard to get where they are now," Veronica said.

Laney is tackling kindergarten. She’s protective of her younger siblings, and still getting used to how her world is opening up as the network of caring adults in her life expands. Her early years were spent primarily indoors, but now she’s getting a taste for the outdoors and falling in love with the playground.

Renee is a reserved 2-year-old, quiet and observant. She enjoys drawing pictures.

The girls love animated movies – Renee's partial to “The Little Mermaid”, while Laney recently got to see “Wish” at the movie theater.

Angel is a good-natured, joyful toddler. He’s babbling, already more talkative than his sisters, though he doesn’t know very many words yet. He’s a fast crawler as well, delighting in throwing himself backwards from a sitting position and rolling around the room.

“Even though we aren’t blood, everybody here’s a family,” John said.

Together, the “found family” is creating their own holiday traditions.

In the center of the living room, the family keeps a small “holiday tree” year-round. The house is currently decorated for Christmas, but as the year progresses, the children will re-decorate the tree with hand-made crafts for every holiday on the calendar, from St. Patrick’s Day to Halloween.

The children were introduced to Santa Claus last year. They’ve started thinking about what they want this year.

Laney enjoys dress-up and dolls. Renee enjoys sensory toys. Angel loves anything with noise and light. The girls also like arts and crafts. All three of the children could use new clothes as they grow.

Since 1973, the Caller-Times has reported the struggle of needy children and their families during the holiday season. All the money donated to the Christmas Appeal campaign benefits the children; all overhead costs are borne by the Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend and participating agencies.

Participating agencies include Boys & Girls Club of Alice, Duval County Christmas Committee, the Kleberg County Welfare Department, Nueces County Department of Social Services, Sinton for Youth Inc. and the Purple Door.

How to donate

Here are three ways to help:

*Fill out the donation form on Page 2A. Make your check or money order payable to Children’s Christmas Appeal and mail to: United Way of Coastal Bend, 4659 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX, 78411 (designate funds to Children's Christmas Appeal)

*Donate online at www.uwcb.org. Look for the Christmas Appeal logo.

*Text ChristmasAppeal (no spaces) to 41444 to make a donation.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Christmas Appeal: Mother and children find safety with "found family"