Focus on the boy born on Christmas Day

The baby arrived three months premature. He weighed less than three pounds. That he arrived at all was in itself almost a miracle. That he arrived on Christmas Day nearly guaranteed it.After a car accident two months prior, his mother was airlifted to a Boston hospital. While she was on bed rest for almost two months, the baby’s heart had stopped beating 40 times before his emergency delivery.He will celebrate his ninth birthday this year. He is happy and healthy, but has some health issues and cognitive challenges.His mother, though, continues to struggle. She has been unable to work since the car accident. Her only income now is from Social Security Disability Insurance. The boy’s father is not in the picture. Drugs have gotten the better of him.”I’m struggling financially to provide him with the things he needs on a daily basis,” the boy’s mother wrote to Item Santa. “So, the holidays make me very nervous and depressed because I’m not able to get him the gifts that he really does deserve.”Throughout all of these unfortunate events in my son’s life, he still has the ability within to have such a positive and unique personality. He loves making jokes, making people laugh.”Because Christmas is also the boy’s birthday, it is even more challenging for the mother to provide a joyful day for her son.He likes the toys that any typical little boy would – LEGOs and video games. A friend of the mother’s gave him a gaming console her own children had outgrown. He “loves” Angry Birds and Sonic the Hedgehog. He also likes puzzles and Transformers.”Anything that challenges his brain, imagination and skills he seems to strive for,” the mother wrote.But he also needs the basics – clothes. A winter coat, boots, mittens, a hat, slippers.”In conclusion,” the mother wrote, “I’d be extremely grateful if you could provide my son with something to open on Christmas morning.”My son is truly a very patient, understanding, loving, precious boy who doesn’t deserve to suffer.”Now in its 48th year, the Item Santa fund endeavors to make Christmas a little brighter for those among us who are less fortunate. If you want to make a direct donation to Item Santa, clip the coupon on Page A3 in The Item and mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, P.O. Box 5, Lynn, MA 01903. You can also use the coupon attached to the itemlive.com version of this story as well.All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2015, along with a brief message from each donor, if desired.Those interested in signing up to collect at Santa Island or any business willing to sell stockings should contact David Solimine Sr. or Joel Solimine at 781-595-1492.NOTE: The application period for aid from Item Santa has closed and The Item does not process applicants. All questions about the program and distribution of gifts should be directed to Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.