LIMA — Tracy and Tyler don’t know you, but they certainly thank you.
The elderly couple was one of the families profiled this year in the Empty Stocking Fund series of stories. In their tale, they shared how medical problems and substandard conditions in their rental home made their golden years difficult.
Generous readers like you donated and delivered a couch to them. A construction worker promised to replace the rotten pallets at the back of the property, free of charge, once the weather warms up. They’ll be able to bring a few gifts to their family Christmas dinner today in Lima.
“It’s really nice to know there are people out there who really care and want to help others,” Tracy said.
Overall, readers of The Lima News raised $32,231 in 2017 to provide a happier holiday to families. That’s especially impressive considering more than $15,000 of that came in the final week of the program.
Each day between Thanksgiving and Christmas, The Lima News featured the story of a local resident struggling to provide a good Christmas to loved ones in the home. The program benefits the Bradfield Community Center, Mizpah Community Center and the Salvation Army in providing extra assistance for people going through extraordinarily tough times.
The Empty Stocking Fund raised $749,048 over the past 26 years, helping families just like these three provide a better holiday for the innocent children in their lives.
Some readers have been particularly generous. Two individuals gave $2,000 each, and two gave $1,000 apiece. One person donated $750 to the program, while nine businesses and individuals contributed $500 each.
Cookie, whose story about a gunman busting through her door in 2013 and motivating her to move across Ohio to Lima, also touched many hearts. She’s still struggling to raise her two grandchildren, whose parents are addicted to drugs, off her disability income. The Empty Stocking Fund helped her provide for a happier holiday for the children in her home.
“It lets the kids know people out there do care,” Cookie said. “It’s not an uncaring society all over the place. The kids were so humbled by it. They asked, ‘Why would they want to help us?’ Because you deserve it, that’s why.”
Emma, whose landlord tossed all her belongings while she served her sentence for drinking and driving, admitted she and her six children ages 4 to 18 will have a “very messed up Christmas weekend.” Still, the Empty Stocking Fund helped provide them hope.
“The kids got some toys,” she said. “They’ll be happy about that.”
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