Empty Stocking

LIMA — Sue has four children of her own, one child that she has guardianship over, and her cousin and his two children just moved in with her because he had no where else to go.

LIMA — With less than one week until Christmas, some are still left wondering whether they will have gifts under their trees on Christmas morning.

LIMA — Jon wanted a change in his life. He had worked since he was 12 years old at odd jobs, and wanted his life to go in a positive direction. The National Guard was his answer.

LIMA — Life hasn’t been easy for Ross and Rachel. Every time the couple think they are getting a little bit ahead, another challenge comes to put them even further behind.

LIMA — It’s never been easy for Jack and Judy, but the parents of three always made it work and even had a little extra to help family and friends.

LIMA — Sitting on the bed soothing her infant son and trying to entertain her 3-year-old, Sherri offers four words that just might be the understatement of her family’s life: “Life’s been piling on.”

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LIMA — On Oct. 29, everything changed for Malirider and her mother Jane.

LIMA — In the dining room, Myrtle has put up the Christmas tree, old-fashioned style with tinsel.

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LIMA — It’s been a year for Brenda and not one that the mother of two wants to repeat.

LIMA — Jessica never imagined she’d be in the place she is in now.

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LIMA — At the young age of 16, Jamie was faced with some of the hardest times of her life.

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LIMA — As the kids first fight over, then pour over holiday ads, they point to things on their wish list. Some are easy to say no to.

LIMA — Nora raised four children and was used to living on her own — until she checked her email one day.

LIMA — Tina is used to picking herself up from hard times. But this Christmas season, those hard times have knocked this 37-year old grandmother off her feet.

LIMA — With $41,000 collected thus far, the 20th annual Empty Stocking campaign has been a pretty good one, exceeding the average totals for the past three years. But it wasn’t a record-breaker — unless you add in the passenger van.Really. Someone gave a passenger van after reading about one family’s need in the Empty Stocking stories printed daily on The Lima News’ front page from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day.The Dec. 18 story featured James’ and Susan’s struggle with James’ multiple sclerosis. They asked for a wheelchair lift to help James get in and out of their hulking old van. A gas card or two also would help, they said, because the van tends to guzzle fuel.A Lima News reader took notice of their request. The anonymous reader had acquired a van with a wheelchair lift for her ailing husband, who had since died.“She had read the story in Sunday’s paper and called me on Monday morning,” said Lima News Marketing Coordinator Jolene Molaski. The Lima News marketing department oversees the annual campaign. “She said she’d talked it over with her son, and this was what they wanted to do because they didn’t need it and they’d rather it went to somebody who actually needed it.”Other notable non-cash contributions included a kitchen stove for Kelly, a mother of four boys whose range had quit working (her story appeared Dec. 13); and a job for Curtis, an out-of-work contractor. The employers said they were delighted with Curtis’ work. Curtis’ story was published Dec. 17. And for the fifth straight year, a group of local barbers donated dozens of shiny new bicycles.“One of the things that really got to me was a letter I got from a 17-year-old girl. She read the story about Jennifer (“Mother of 2 without job, money at Christmas,” Dec. 11), and for some reason, it just touched her,” Molaski said. “And she sent in $30. She said, ‘I can’t send any more than this, because I don’t have a job. I’m still in high school.’ But it was such a sweet gesture.”And who can forget the chocolate-covered pretzel project? Second-graders studying economics at Independence Elementary School went into business for a few days, dipping pretzel rods in chocolate, decorating them and selling them to classmates and teachers and family members. The story was published Wednesday.“I went and spoke briefly to them about the Empty Stocking Fund, and they made me a giant check and donated just over $95, almost all of it in change,” Molaski said.Lima News Marketing Director Bill Clinger said the newspaper promotes the donation campaign as a community service. All dollars and other gifts are handed over to the three participating agencies — The Cheryl Allen South Side Community Center, Bradfield Center and Lima Salvation Army — for distribution to hundreds of needy applicants. A $5,000 gift to Cheryl Allen Center helps pay for a Breakfast with Santa event where each of the nearly 200 children in attendance gets a new toy to take home. This year, more than 620 families registered for help through the Empty Stocking fund.“There are no promotion costs. There are no administrative costs,” Clinger said. “Every dollar we raise goes directly to help someone in need.”Clinger said the stories help raise the community’s awareness of its neighbors in distress.“We do a lot to promote the Empty Stocking program,” Clinger said, “But I believe that also has an impact on the awareness of the overall needs of the community. It has a trickle-down effect to the other agencies that I think, as they hear our stories, people may not donate directly to our program, it’s also benefiting others.”During its 20 years, the Empty Stocking Fund has raised more than $500,000 for charity. Add in the non-cash donations, and the net worth is closer to $750,000, Molaski said.The fund still is accepting contributions even as Christmas passes. “Those agencies that benefit from the Empty Stocking Fund, they operate year-round,” Clinger said. “They continue to need support, so if someone is still thinking about giving, they certainly may.”A final distribution of funding will take place Jan. 6.You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.

LIMA — Six times Bertha has come to the aid of one of her grandchildren — unwanted, sometimes abandoned, by their parents. One-by-one she’s taken them into her home. It hasn’t been easy for Bertha, the lone adult in the household, to provide for the children, who range in age from 1 to 11.“It’s a struggle. It’s a challenge,” she said. “My income is not enough to take care of everything. Sometimes I have to make difficult choices between do I pay this bill or do I get the kids some clothes or pick up some more food.”Bertha said because of her jumbled schedule with so many kids at different ages she’s not been able to work because there’s no one to help with the kids. She’s making ends meet using only Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Security Income funds.It’s of little use hoping the parents will be involved, she said.“It’s a real challenge when you don’t have any help from any of the parents,” Bertha said. “When they want to be, they’re involved. Which is every once in a blue moon.”Bertha said she just wants to provide a loving home for her grandchildren.“I’m very heart-broken for these kids,” she said. “I look at them and I’m very sad because I’m all they have. When I go to the store, even for just a few minutes, when I get back they are all up on me.”Bertha said the older children, the two 11-year-olds in particular, understand that money is tight and Christmas will be light this year. That doesn’t make it any easier, she said.“They understand things are tight but they still want things,” Bertha said. “My hope for the kids is that they have a nice Christmas. I’d be happy just seeing them happy.”The Empty Stocking Fund benefits three cooperating agencies: Bradfield Community Center, Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center and the Salvation Army. Money can be donated by sending it to The Lima News, 3515 Elida Road, Lima OH 45807, or by dropping it off at any Superior Federal Credit Union branch. Donations of new toys and nonperishable food items will be accepted at The Lima News office. For past stories, go to www.limaohio.com/emptystocking. These stories use assumed names to protect the participants’ privacy.You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.

LIMA — Jerry used to be the one who helped people. Now he's the one looking for help.That's hardly new. Read back over the Empty Stocking stories over the past few weeks and it comes up time and again, the people who once made donations to organizations such as Bradfield Center and the Salvation Army are now the ones with their hands out. But Jerry's (not his real name) story is unique. Once, not that long ago, it was his job to help. As a counselor, he talked people through their problems, gave advice and sent them to the agencies he now visits in search of assistance.“I used to treat and council people. I was never in need of anything like this. I never had to go to the Salvation Army, wouldn't have considered it. Now, here I am,” Jerry said.For Jerry, everything changed about four years ago. His wife was pregnant and he knew they would need more money, so he took a job on the side, helping an uncle in the construction trade. He was working one day when he fell from a scaffold, plunging to the concrete 20 feet below. What followed changed his life.“I went from a guy with two jobs and a pretty good life to a guy with all these troubles,” Jerry said. Those problems include surgeries, therapy and endless battles with insurance companies and care providers. The accident left him weak and in constant pain. The pills he takes for the pain make him increasingly resemble the men he once worked to help.“The amount of prescription drugs I'm on, just so I can sit up straight or walk around, it would put a normal Joe to sleep for a week,” Jerry said. “I know what people think when I go in. I used to counsel these people with drug problems and addictions. Now they think I'm one of them.”Jerry divorced his wife since the accident and now cares for their 4-year-old son. The boy is the reason he approached the Salvation Army for help.“I don't get much money, but obviously what I get, he's a priority. I make sure he has food and gets clothes, has a coat, things like that, but there's not a lot left over,” Jerry said. So Jerry is hoping for some help to play Santa Claus this year. Like most 4-year-olds, his son wants toys. He likes Power Rangers or Spider-Man and about anything else.“He's a busy boy. He's 4, and pretty much everything that means,” Jerry said. The Empty Stocking Fund benefits three cooperating agencies: Bradfield Community Center, Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center and the Salvation Army. Money can be donated by sending it to The Lima News, 3515 Elida Road, Lima OH 45807, or by dropping it off at any Superior Federal Credit Union branch. Donations of new toys and nonperishable food items will be accepted at The Lima News office. For past stories, go to www.limaohio.com/emptystocking. These stories use assumed names to protect the participants' privacy.You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.

LIMA — The holidays are always a tough time for Amy: She buried her first son two days before Christmas. He was just 3 months old. “I get the blahs during Christmas time,” said Amy, who has a 16-year-old son, 21-year-old daughter and 3-year-old granddaughter. It is not helped this year by difficult financial circumstances and the reality that she won’t be able to provide much of a Christmas for her family. “Christmas is going to be real grim around here,” she said. “There is no money. ... I never thought in a million years that I would be in this position at 42 years old. I figured I would be working and would always be able to provide for my kids.”Amy has been pretty much out of work since 2007. She’s done odd jobs when she can, including cleaning carpets and mowing grass. Even that work is slim these days. She’s worked in food service in the past, but has had a hard time securing anything as of late. “These days there are 600 to 700 people applying for the same jobs,” she said. “When I was working, I didn’t have to worry about Christmas.”Most recently, she’s been unable to search because she is recovering from surgery. She had an abscess removed. There is no family here to help out. Amy plans to go back to school to get her GED. She would like to eventually earn a business degree. Keeping her son in clothes is tough for Amy. She tries to shop at thrift stores as much as she can, but doesn’t tell him. He wears size 11 shoes, and 30-32 pants. He also needs a coat, size X-large. She would like to get him presents. He likes cologne and Xbox 360 video games. Amy also wishes she could help her daughter and granddaughter a little more. She would love to buy the 3-year-old some learning toys. Her daughter could use clothes, size 16. Amy hopes some will find it in their hearts to help her family. “I have helped a lot of people along the way,” she said. “In order to get blessings, you have to give blessings.”The Empty Stocking Fund benefits three cooperating agencies: Bradfield Community Center, Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center and the Salvation Army. Money can be donated by sending it to The Lima News, 3515 Elida Road, Lima OH 45807, or by dropping it off at any Superior Federal Credit Union branch. Donations of new toys and nonperishable food items will be accepted at The Lima News office. For past stories, go to www.limaohio.com/emptystocking. These stories use assumed names to protect the participants’ privacy.You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.

LIMA — A mistake almost made nearly 20 years ago is still impacting Janet and her family.Janet, then 21, contemplated shoplifting clothes for her son. She had them in hand, but suddenly knew she couldn't do it.“I changed my mind,” she said. “I just looked at him and said, ‘I am not going to do this.' I thought I made the right decision.”Janet put the clothes down outside the store, but it was too late. She was seen and arrested for shoplifting. She was charged with the crime but got it expunged two years later, so she thought. Janet has since found that her record still comes up when she applies for work in the medical field. She studied to become a nursing aide in 2000 but hasn't been able to find work in the field because of her record. “If I would have known, I would have taken classes in something else,” she said, saying she entered the nurse's aide program because she loves to help people. “No one will hire me because of it.”Janet hasn't had a steady job since 2010, despite trying. She no longer tries for work in her field, instead working in retail and other areas. Paying bills and keeping up with expenses has been tough for the single mother of three. Her son is an adult now, but she also has two daughters, ages 13 and 11, living at home. Janet has sold much of her furniture in order to keep up on bills. Her living room includes a couple of card table chairs and items she's found at garage sales or in other people's trash. She pays bills with odd jobs like taking elderly people to the grocery store or offering neighbors rides. She is still always behind on bills.“It is very hard,” she said. “All my life I have paid my bills. Right now, it is just eating me up.”Despite the tough times, Janet stays positive, saying what matters most is family and having shelter. “I try to teach my children that as long as we have shelter and are together, we will be OK,” she said. “We will just have to make gifts for each other.”While her girls understand, it is hard for Mom to see them want for things. The family used to spend time at the YMCA together, something the girls loved. Janet can't afford the membership anymore. The girls like basketball, crafts and dancing. They would like a MP3 player and basketball clothes. They both need winter coats. They wear sizes 13-14 and 14-16. “They are really, really gracious of anything we get,” Janet said. “We try to make the best of it, as long as we are together.”The Empty Stocking Fund benefits three cooperating agencies: Bradfield Community Center, Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center and the Salvation Army. Money can be donated by sending it to The Lima News, 3515 Elida Road, Lima OH 45807, or by dropping it off at any Superior Federal Credit Union branch. Donations of new toys and nonperishable food items will be accepted at The Lima News office. For past stories, go to www.limaohio.com/emptystocking. These stories use assumed names to protect the participants' privacy.

LIMA — Carol and Mike don't want or need much for themselves, but they want their sons to have a good Christmas.They turned to the Empty Stocking Fund “for the kids. I didn't know what we were going to do this year. It's about the three boys, not us,” Carol said. “They're 7 and 3 and they're anxious,” she said.With the arrival of a little brother nine months ago, the family is barely getting by. “It's tight” Carol said. “We do get a utility check. We cover our gas and electric, our car insurance, we do have a little bit of satellite TV and our basic phone service, but other than that, no extras.The boys, Greg, age 7; Pete, 3, and Bob, 9 months, enjoy playing in their new home, obtained with assistance from Metropolitan Housing. It gives them a little breathing room.“The boys couldn't run around and be boys in the old house,” Carol said.Mike lost his job as a supervisor in 2008, when the plant he worked at closed. He went back to work in 2009, the suffered injuries and is now unable to work. He's had hand, neck and knee surgery. The family is working to obtain disability benefits.Carol is looking for work. “I have a college degree in financial services and I'm not having any luck. I'm going back to school for my bachelor's degree,” she said. “I've put in application after application and just had no luck. Hopefully something will come around.” Their furniture is nearly 10 years old, but it looks nearly new. They try to take care of what they have. They don't need much, but want the children to have a good Christmas.Greg is into video games. Pete likes cars, trucks and tool sets. Bob isn't picky.“He's 9 months, he doesn't really know,” Carol said. “He likes cars though, he likes playing with his brother.”The children can always use clothes, she said. Greg wears 9/10 pants, 8/10 shirts 2 1/2 shoes and size 8/10 coats.Pete wears 5/6 pants, 5/6 shirt, size 1 shoes and size 4 coats.Bob wears 12 month clothes, size 5 toddler shoes and size 4 diapers.Mike is recuperating from surgery, but is ready to pitch in if Carol gets a job.“He'll take care of what he can around the house,” she said. “We'll get through this, we always do.”The Empty Stocking Fund benefits three cooperating agencies: Bradfield Community Center, Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center and the Salvation Army. Money can be donated by sending it to The Lima News, 3515 Elida Road, Lima OH 45807, or by dropping it off at any Superior Federal Credit Union branch. Donations of new toys and nonperishable food items will be accepted at The Lima News office. For past stories, go to www.limaohio.com/emptystocking. These stories use assumed names to protect the participants' privacy.

LIMA — Nancy sits home alone in a house without heat, waiting for the cold days to pass.She said she is unable to work due to a common heart arrhythmia and her husband does not make enough as a custodian to pay the bills. She and her husband, Scott, had heat in their house but it was turned off. They heat whatever room they are in with space heaters. While it hasn’t been brutally cold yet, Nancy knows those days are not far away. “We’re in trouble. We’re going to freeze,” she said.Nancy has one grown child, a daughter, Patti, still living at home. Her other daughter, Kim and son, Joel, moved out years ago and have families of their own.Besides not having heat in the house they rent, Nancy doesn’t have a stove that fully works. She needs a replacement but can’t afford it. Nancy loves to cook but her cooking now is limited to the microwave, she said. Paying the gas bill to get the heat back on is the first priority but one they can’t manage due to Nancy’s medical bills, including the cost of medicine. She’s on five medications and said she does not take all of them because she cannot afford all. She also has the monthly copay for having her blood drawn to make sure it’s not being thinned too much. Scott’s wages are being garnished due to family medical bills, which adds to the financial struggles, she said. “It’s paycheck to paycheck,” she said.Nancy and Scott already agreed not to exchange presents and Patti agreed, too.“We’re not having Christmas this year, at all. We’re just going to go without. We can’t afford to get anything so we decided no Christmas this year,” she said.Nancy feels bad she cannot buy her grandchildren presents this year but she said it’s reality. “Sometimes we don’t even have enough money to get food. We just eat baloney sandwiches,” she said. The Empty Stocking Fund benefits three cooperating agencies: Bradfield Community Center, Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center and the Salvation Army. Money can be donated by sending it to The Lima News, 3515 Elida Road, Lima OH 45807, or by dropping it off at any Superior Federal Credit Union branch. Donations of new toys and nonperishable food items will be accepted at The Lima News office. For past stories, go to www.limaohio.com/emptystocking. These stories use assumed names to protect the participants’ privacy.You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.

LIMA — Marcy has always been able to provide a good Christmas for her 11-year-old daughter. A diabetes diagnosis two years ago and a series of hospital visits later, and the single mother is finding it hard to make ends meet.She works 40 hours a week, more when there’s work to do and she can physically handle it. The job pays slightly better than minimum wage. Marcy, not her real name, said because it’s just the two of them in the household, she’s been denied getting help elsewhere. She’s turned to The Lima News’ Empty Stocking Fund this year hoping to provide something for her daughter.“It’s not about my pride. Everybody needs help one day,” Marcy said. “I’m not afraid to ask for help when I need it. I was just afraid I’d get turned away like everywhere else.”The diagnosis two years ago and the mounting medical bills have forced Marcy to often choose which bills get paid and which ones slide until the disconnect notice arrives. Some months, the household has to skimp on food and medicine.“It seems like I keep trying but I can’t ever get caught up,” she said. “I try to work more overtime. The more I work, the more taxes they take. I can’t get anywhere.”Marcy lost some of her support network along the way, too. Her great-grandmother passed away not long after the diagnosis. Her great-grandmother helped with money when she could and watched Marcy’s daughter.“That was hard,” she said.Marcy said what’s made it easier this year is having a mature, 11-year-old who understands things may be different this holiday season.“She’s used to having a good Christmas. I told her Christmas this year is not going to be like it used to,” Marcy said. “She said she understands. That made me feel good.”Still, Marcy said she doesn’t like that her daughter has to know the family is struggling to make ends meet.“She shouldn’t have to worry about that. It’s the parents’ responsibility to take care of that,” she said. “Her responsibility is to go to school and take care of that.”The Empty Stocking Fund benefits three cooperating agencies: Bradfield Community Center, Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center and the Salvation Army. Money can be donated by sending it to The Lima News, 3515 Elida Road, Lima OH 45807, or by dropping it off at any Superior Federal Credit Union branch. Donations of new toys and nonperishable food items will be accepted at The Lima News office. For past stories, go to www.limaohio.com/emptystocking. These stories use assumed names to protect the participants’ privacy.You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.

LIMA — Just when they thought things couldn't get worse, life took a nasty turn for Michael and Mary.As 33-year-old Michael lay in the hospital following a heart attack last summer, Mary told him someone had stolen their van. “I thought she was playing. She came to the hospital and said somebody took our van, and I couldn't believe it,” Michael said.Although the van was found, totalled, having little insurance meant no vehicle. Now they face the dilemma of how to get Mary, who suffers fibromyalgia, arthritis, and has had a stroke, to the doctors. Likewise, two of their three children need medical treatment as one has asthma and the other epilepsy.The couple sit in their Lima home next to plastic bags filled with medication. Michael is frustrated that his life has gone from an everyday job and working outdoors in his yard to sitting in the living room making certain his life-giving pills are nearby.“We can't afford anything. It's stressing me out. I have to ask people to give me a ride anywhere I need to go. I have to ask people to help me cut the grass. I have to ask people to help me shovel the snow. Whenever I go to the hospital, they want to admit me. They find more and more wrong,” he said.Likewise, Mary also suffers the stress.“I get emotional sometimes. I try to deal with my health, but it's very stressful. I also have to drive across town to take care of my disabled mom. I cook for her every day,” Mary said.The only income at this point is the disability Mary receives.“We need groceries. We go to the food pantries to try and stretch our money, but it's hard. We also need a vehicle,” Michael said.And for the children's Christmas?Their 11 year old girl would like a private journal that responds to voice commands. Their 10-year old son likes Hot Wheels, and he, as well as their 8-year old boy, both like Beyblade.“The main thing for us is that our kids are taken care of,” Michael said.The Empty Stocking Fund benefits three cooperating agencies: Bradfield Community Center, Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center and the Salvation Army. Money can be donated by sending it to The Lima News, 3515 Elida Road, Lima, OH 45807, or by dropping it off at any Superior Federal Credit Union branch. Donations of new toys and nonperishable food items will be accepted at The Lima News office. For past stories, go to http://limaohio.com/emptystocking. These stories use assumed names to protect the participants' privacy.

LIMA — Rae apologized for being late as she pulled open her front door on a recent December day. She’d caught a ride to Piqua for a final exam, and her friend had taken a little longer than expected to finish.