Single grandmother quits job to raise 3 grandchildren

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas outside with the lights hanging on houses and the foot of snow that now cakes the sidewalks up and down the North Shore.And soon, those things that make Christmas pretty will be joined by other things like carolers and parades to go along with presents, plenty of them, sitting under whatever type of Christmas tree you choose.Unfortunately for some people, those twinkling bulbs and the rush of shoppers to any number of local stores is something that they can only dream of having happen. Because for some people, the holiday season is spent hoping that maybe, just maybe, a wish might come true.For one grandmother, that is the truth of the matter.One single grandparent who wrote to Item Santa was forced to quit her job in order to raise her three grandchildren, ages 2 1/2, 2 and four months. Unfortunately in this time, these stories along with many others that have been written about are a sad fact of life.For most of us, Christmas is a time to splurge a little bit on that one item that a loved one would never expect to receive next week. Its also a time for us to stop and think about those people, like this grandmother and grandkids, who are not as fortunate to be in that kind of position.That’s where your donations to the Item Santa come in. Those little bits of extra money go a long way towards helping make the holidays a little better for those who are not able to without such help.For this grandmother, maybe those donations will help give her grandchildren some new clothes or one of the hot new toys on the market. Or even put a little food on the table for Christmas dinner.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.For more information, call the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.