Share Your Christmas: Family of wounded vet and a single father seek gifts for kids

No. 55: Injured veteran, wife hope for gifts for four children

The past few years have been difficult for Mom, Dad and their four children.

Dad was serving his second tour of duty with the U.S. Navy when he was injured on patrol near the coast of Somalia. Coping with PTSD and residual pain from his injuries means Dad is limited in the type of work he can do.

Then, earlier this year when a larger firm bought the company where he was employed, all the employees lost their jobs. Dad was unemployed for several months, so the family fell behind on bills.

Recently, Dad found a new job, but it requires fewer skills and pays less that his previous one did. A second income would help, yet so far Mom hasn’t found employment that would cover the cost of childcare for their 2-year-old son.

Grocery bills keep going up, and now Mom worries that their rent may go up, too: “We are at our max for rent,” she said.

Knowing the children will discover gifts under the tree on Christmas morning will help relieve some of the stress during a challenging time for these parents.

The oldest, a 13-year-old girl, is “past the age of toys” and would like makeup, books and clothes. “Anything Sonic or Mario” would please the 7-year-old boy, who also likes to read and is proud that he can handle “chapter books.” The 5-year-old girl likes princesses and almost anything pink. Dad suggested a riding toy for the 2-year-old boy, who also likes Cookie Monster and Mickey Mouse.

For the family, Mom said, “Any kitchen or household items would be amazing!”

No. 56: Single father juggles school, job search and caring for sons

“A really good, kind Dad” who is “raising such sweet kids” were just a few of the ways Share Your Christmas heard this single Dad described. No matter how busy his schedule, Dad tries to make sure his two sons have plenty of his time and attention.

In addition to caring for his boys, Dad is completing his second year of classes at Ozarks Technical Community College and will soon be transferring to Missouri State University to earn a degree in business and accounting.

He is looking for a part-time job, but it’s difficult for him to schedule work around classes and the boys’ schedule. His younger son is deaf in one ear and requires frequent appointments with hearing specialists. What’s more, the family truck has more than 300,000 miles on it, so Dad is frequently dealing with repair problems.

Despite these issues, Dad remains positive and said he appreciates any assistance.

The boys, 10 and 6, have outgrown their bicycles, so a new bike is the main Christmas wish for each of them — and Dad would also appreciate clothing and shoes for both fast-growing sons. They also love Legos.

The younger boy is sure Santa can find “that helicopter at Walmart.” Hopefully, there is a donor willing to search for this special gift.

No. 57: Popcorn, peanut butter crackers on resident's wish list

This older gentleman is a friendly man of few words, yet he did tell Share Your Christmas that he grew up on a farm, liked to play in a creek, worked at Kraft Foods and built his own house.

Today, bingo and bus trips are his favorite care center activities.

T-shirts, sweatpants, pajama bottoms and treats such as popcorn, peanut butter crackers and Coke Zero complete his Christmas gift list.

No. 58: Care center resident continues serving others

Helping others seems to be a theme throughout this gentleman’s life. He spent 20 years in the U.S. Army National Guard, drove a truck for Victory Mission in Springfield, and said his favorite memories were the times he could be of “service to God.”

He continues to do this in the care center where he lives by cheering others up with his jokes and visiting with anyone who seems lonely, staff said.

A sweater, sweatsuit and shirt with pockets are practical gifts for him. Suggested treats are Coke, chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cream pies.

About Share Your Christmas, how to donate

For information about how to help the Share Your Christmas families or care center residents, call 417-866-8008 or email share@ccozarks.org.

Gifts should be delivered to Dock 1 or Dock 2 on the west side of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks building, 3055 E. Division St. If the dock doors are closed, please ring the doorbell at the top of the stairs or call 417-862-3586, extension 118, for warehouse assistance. Hours for delivery are 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Monetary donations are welcome because they allow Share Your Christmas to purchase gifts that may be needed to complete a child’s toy list or fill a box for a care center resident.

If you would like to send a monetary gift to assist a particular family or care center resident, please note that in the memo line of your check. You may also write “As Needed” in the memo line, and your gift will be used for the Share Your Christmas program. Please send monetary donations to: Share Your Christmas, P.O. Box 3947, Springfield, MO 65808.

Gifts are due by Dec. 13. Monetary donations are welcome at any time.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Share Your Christmas: Families juggle bills, school, job searches