Grandma receives help catching up on bills

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.

The 58-year-old grandmother was laid off at work and had fallen behind on bills.

It took five months for her to find a new job.

Then she struggled to catch up on the bills.

A friend at work told her about Share the Season.

She didn’t think there was a chance, but she applied – just in case.

“I am a very independent woman,” she told The Eagle. “My husband was killed in a car accident, and I had to raise three children by myself. I have never been one to ask for help.”

At Share the Season, she received help for her utility bills.

“It makes me feel there are people still out there that help,” she said. “I am ecstatic and in tears.”

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 more than $70,802.

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. 17. For more information, call 316-263-2769.

Among recent donors: Randall Ball; Jay and Sharon Bezdek; Shelley Cooper; Thomas and Mary Draxler; Dana Hamant; Van and Mary Ann Harrold; Robert and Ruth Holliday, in memory of Buz Solomon; Jan and Jerry Aaron Charitable Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation; John and Barbara McCune Charitable Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation.

Bradley and Connie Kiewel, in memory of Emily Kelly; Virgil and Marjorie Palmer; Janet Pape; Craig and Jennifer Pate; William and Marva Reeves; Suzanne Shields, in honor of James Shields; Beverly Taylor, in honor of Lydia Nassif; Bradley and Joann Tuzicka; Volunteer Kansas Inc.; Dwain and Peggy Yearout; anonymous, in memory of Wesley Martin; and 14 anonymous donors.

This story was originally published November 29, 2016 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Grandma receives help catching up on bills."