Share the Season: Assistance would help woman keep her house

Share the Season is an annual campaign that offers one-time aid to people affected by unforeseen hardships. The people are not identified to protect their privacy.

State assistance for a son with learning disabilities was cut off in May, followed by broken water pipes in July. Her car is barely limping along, and she has costly trips to the laundromat because the washer and dryer are on the fritz.

“I have not had a good year,” said the 33-year-old single mother, who is disabled.

Her monthly disability check on top of her part-time work as a school lunch aide hasn’t been enough to keep up with the recent financial setbacks.

“I’ve struggled trying to pay bills,” she said. “I had to starting using my credit cards, and now I have that debt.”

Paying off her credit-card debt is her top priority, followed by the back property taxes on the house she is buying.

In addition to her sons, ages 9 and 13, she also is taking care of her 9-year-old cousin.

“He needs a good, stable home,” she wrote in her application to Share the Season. “I did not want to see him running up and down the street.

“I just need someone to bless me with some help. Help me with this bad situation.”

Without that help, she said, she’s not sure she’ll be able to keep her house.

“I just want to say thank you for even listening to my story,” the mother said. “Anything will help. A little goes a long way.”

Share the Season is a joint project of The Eagle, the Wichita Community Foundation and the Salvation Army.

So far this season, it has raised $61,076.

Send contributions to Share the Season at the Wichita Community Foundation, 301 N. Main, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67202. To donate online, go to www.sharetheseason.org. If you have questions about donating, call 316-264-4880.

Donors will be listed in The Eagle; please note if you prefer to remain anonymous.

To apply for help, fill out an application at www.sharetheseason.org or pick one up at the Salvation Army, 350 N. Market. The application deadline is Dec. 20. For more information, call 316-263-2769.

Among recent donors: Bradley and Joann Tuzicka; James and Jane Taylor; Dora and Robert Timmerman; Volunteer Kansas Inc.; Janet Van Epps; Doug and Jenine Wright; Bill and Debby Lucas Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation; Ronald and Linda Williams, in memory of Clarence and Letha Williams; William and Judith Ann Wynne; Jean Wellshear; Gail Williams; Claire Williams, in memory of Jack L. Williams; Thomas and Elaine Ware.

Anonymous, in memory of Keeney Stevens; anonymous, in memory of Jack Swinson and Bessie Moore; anonymous, in memory of Cliff Templeman; anonymous, in honor of James Jones; anonymous, in memory of Edith Downs; anonymous, in memory of Virginia Barb; anonymous, in memory of Nan Bradley and Kenny Bradley; anonymous, in honor of Charles Conroy and Ken Brokaw.

Anonymous, in honor of Jack and Anita Osterman; anonymous in memory of Carla Meeds; anonymous in memory of Ella Mae McFarlane; and 118 other anonymous donors.

This story was originally published November 29, 2015 at 1:08 PM with the headline "Share the Season: Assistance would help woman keep her house."