Lynn mother of 3 struggles mightily just to make ends meet

LYNN – While there’s no place like home for the holidays, three young boys wish for nothing more than to have their father home to join their family for Christmas.Unfortunately, their dad, Jamie, will be spending the season in jail rather then decking the halls with his family.Their mother, Isabelle, struggling to make ends meet and provide food for her three boys, Andrew, Cory and Gregory, said she is unable to buy even necessities, let alone frivolous gifts.Still, the young mom said she has tried to remain optimistic despite numerous setbacks.After being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, social anxiety and bi-polar disorder earlier this year, Isabelle is now experiencing a high-risk pregnancy with her fourth child.Due to her perilous condition, Isabelle said she has been unable to work and because of that, money is tight.”I would prefer clothes instead of toys because the clothes can be worn throughout the year and will not get broken like toys,” she said. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help.”On top of everything else, Isabelle said the children’s father is in jail for the fifth time, is a heroin addict and doesn’t provide assistance for his growing family.”He hasn’t paid $1 for child support since the court ordered him to in 1996,” she said. “Currently, he owes $20,000 to the state and to myself.”Struggling to get by, day to day, Isabelle said she wants to make the upcoming holiday season a happy one for her sons and is asking for assistance from the public.”I love my boys very much and it has been so hard since they were real young to make ends meet daily,” she said. “If you could somehow help me this year with gifts, it would be appreciated. My boys all deserve more than just a tree.”To make a donation to Item Santa, clip the coupon in today’s Item or download one 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.