Share the Season helps couple after man’s illness

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.

Her husband thought he had the flu. His wife knew better.

“He looked awful,” she said.

She rushed him to the emergency room, where it was discovered his blood sugar was extremely high. Tests revealed he had diabetes.

“We had no idea,” the 45-year-old wife said. “It’s meant a lot of adjustments. It’s been a big change.”

That change also included the couple taking a financial hit. He spent a week in the hospital and was off work for three months before recently returning. He has the type of job where he isn’t paid when he’s not working.

She tried to make arrangements for payments on bills, but it wasn’t enough. That’s when Share the Season stepped forward to pay a month’s mortgage and utility bills.

“We’re very grateful,” she said. “Anything we could get is a big help because the doctor and hospital bills are going to start coming in.”

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 $79,000.

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.

This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Share the Season helps couple after man’s illness."