A couple blessed with an unexpected baby after years of thinking they could never have children, need a little help making his first Christmas special.
The child was born prematurely after his mother discovered she was pregnant at five months. She had a kidney disorder that caused her doctors to remove half of her kidney. Since the surgery 10 years ago, she thought she would never be able to have children.
The baby boy spent weeks in the hospital because his lungs weren’t completely developed yet, and his parents just recently were able to take him home for the holidays.
“Our little guy is definitely a champ,” she wrote to Item Santa. “My fiance and I feel so blessed to have our little angel. The problem is that we both have health issues so we are both on disability. Once the bills are paid, there’s not much left for gifts. We’re so grateful to have our son, especially when we didn’t think we could have one. But between paying everything, I’m afraid we won’t be able to get him even just a few things. We’re hoping Item Santa can help us give our little guy a first Christmas that he can look back on by viewing photos of him opening gifts. Every child grows up and wants pictures of their first Christmas. I’d be devastated to tell him we didn’t even have a Christmas tree.”
To make a direct 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.
To contribute online, go to www.itemsanta.org, where you can make a donation via credit card.
All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2018, along with a brief message from each donor, if they desire.
Anyone 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.
