Family moves for greener pastures, but needs more help

LIMA — Seven years ago, Sandy and Darryl left snowy central Maine, seeking a better economy. They found it in Lima, where Sandy had a brother.

“The day we got here, oh my God, within 24 hours he had a full-time job working for our landlord and we had a new apartment,” Sandy said.

Things were good.

Then Darryl, her fiancé, got sick. In April of last year, he died of lung cancer.

Sandy and her son, Charlie, 23, were now relying on disability checks for all their bills. Sandy said she has a bad back and cannot work. Charlie has Asperger syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.

Searching on Facebook one day, Charlie found Sandy’s cousin, Allan, and his wife Jean.

“I just out of the blue called her and said, ‘hey, do you want to come to Ohio?’” Sandy said.

After about six months of thinking about it, Jean, Allan and their 11-year-old daughter, Roslyn decided they too would leave Maine and come to Lima.

Sandy saved for bus tickets and the three each packed an army surplus duffle bag with what they could carry. They left the rest behind.

“All our furniture, dishes, everything we had we gave to the church,” Jean said. “Told the minister we can’t take it with us, give it to somebody who can use it.”

Things aren’t as good here as they were when Sandy first arrived.

Still, they’re better than they were.

Roslyn is doing much better in school, and Allan has found some work, though it’s anything but steady. He also doesn’t have a driver’s license or a car, which limits his opportunities.

“My son and I, our income is supporting five instead of two, but there’s absolutely no regrets.”

Sandy wants to help give Roslyn a good first Christmas in Ohio.

“An American Girl doll, that’s the one thing she’s been saying she wants,” Sandy said while Roslyn squealed with delight.

They also need clothes, 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 dropped 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.