Young Lynn mother of three struggling to get by on thin paycheck

Raising a family on your own as an adult can be rather difficult, but even more so when you’re nearly still a child yourself.Christina, a 20-year-old resident of Lynn, is a proud mother of two boys and one girl, all under the age of 5. She would do anything for her “beautiful little babies,” but the world around her has put limits on what she’s capable of.The father of her children was incarcerated over a year ago, her relatives live outside the country, and her high school education hasn’t opened the doors to many job opportunities.Between diaper changes and community daycare, Christina has managed to work part-time as a cashier at a downtown shop just to make rent and buy groceries. The heating bill comes in at a distant third.She has given up any and all luxuries for herself, using every penny earned for her children. Unfortunately, her thin paycheck can only be spread so far and isn’t nearly enough to purchase suitable winter clothing for her growing kids.”It’s really tough to raise them on my own,” she wrote in a letter to the Item Santa.Above any other donations, Christina said she would like warm clothes for her 10-month old girl. She said her baby doesn’t have any new socks, hats or footed pajamas – necessities for any young one living in New England.”Toys and games can wait another year,” she wrote, expressing confidence that someday she’ll be able provide her children with all the world has to offer. However, Dora the Explorer and Diego dolls and games were at the top of her children’s list for Santa.”I would really appreciate it if you would help us out,” she said. “And thank you so much for already making so many children’s Christmases come true.”Click here to download a coupon to make a donation to Item Santa. Send 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.