Mother of 6 needs your aid to get her kids Christmas gifts

LYNN – “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” so the classic Christmas song goes, but, unfortunately, that isn’t true for everyone. In fact, for more people than one would like to imagine, the holiday is simply a grim reminder of what they don’t have.For Sharon, a recently divorced mother of six children from Lynn, Christmastime is the most difficult time of year, financially and emotionally. She struggles just to keep a roof over her family’s heads and clothing on their backs, let alone purchase presents to put under the tree.”I find it very hard to make ends meet,” she said in a letter to the Item Santa. “I’m just trying to keep the kids’ lives as normal as possible.”All of her six children are under the age of 15. They do well in school and participate in after school activities such as dance and football. Sharon thinks it’s important for them to stay active and keep involved in their passions, however, being a single parent without the financial assistance of their father, it’s coming to the point where they might have to drop out.”It’s hard,” said Sharon. “I’m not used to having to feed, clothe, and pay all the household expenses on my own.” She currently works a full-time job and accepts all opportunities for overtime.Her children’s father developed a drug habit after getting laid off from his job. He quickly became addicted and would do anything to feed the need, including stealing from his family. Staying with him was not an option for Sharon, who feared for her children’s well-being.Since then, it’s been Sharon and her kids, living day by day in a small apartment without many luxuries. The divorce has been hard on them, but not as hard as living with a junkie would have been. Sharon doesn’t regret her decision – she only wishes things could be easier for her children. Having a nice, joyful Christmas that involves opening a few presents would make a big difference in their lives, if only for one day.For over 40 years, the Daily Item has partnered with the Salvation Army to help as many less fortunate families as possible have a happy, memorable Christmas.Through your generous donations to the Item Santa, you can help Sharon, and many others like her, enjoy the holiday, rather than dread it.To make a donation to Item Santa, clip the coupon in today’s Item and mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, P.O. Box 951, Lynn, MA 01903.The Salvation Army will be distributing gifts to needy families Dec. 10-13.For more information, call the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.