Stores put out Christmas items earlier each year but it doesn’t compare to how early we hear from families in need. In July and August, we typically field the first inquiries about our Christmas Assistance Program: “When will you start taking calls this year?”
Hearing this question when it’s 90 degrees outside highlights the stress parents feel. They love their kids so much and want them to be happy on Christmas morning.
My Brother’s Keeper will serve more than 3,000 families this Christmas — 12,000 children and parents! It’s an extraordinary undertaking but in keeping with our mission, each family’s request is a personal, loving conversation with our intake staff and volunteers.
Who are these parents who reach out to us for help? Here are just a few of their stories…
-
Corinne from Brockton who’s been in a shelter the last three years and recently got housing. She burst into tears when we answered the phone. “I feel so blessed to be getting this help. I really need it.”
-
Melinda, a first-time caller from Quincy. When we asked for a gift idea for her, she replied, “Oh! No one’s ever asked me that before!” She didn’t want a gift for herself but said OK when we pointed out that her kids would love to see her open a present.
-
Laurie from Boston who we’ve helped before. She’d gotten back on her feet in recent years but there was a fire in her building. Thankfully, everyone was OK but it set her family back financially.
-
Danielle and her husband Mike from Fall River who bought beds for their sons but they sleep on rented living room furniture. She said, “I’m so glad I got through to you today. My three boys are eating us out of house and home and money is so tight. This really made my day.” (In addition to promising Christmas help, we also delivered furniture.)
-
Marina from Chelsea, another first-time caller who cried when we said hello. She’s a single mom with 4 kids and was thrilled to know all our Christmas deliveries come with a $50 supermarket gift card. As she hung up, she said, “Thank you, Jesus, thank you!”
These are just some of our sisters and brothers who call My Brother’s Keeper in their time of need. It is our sincere privilege to serve them in Christ’s name at this most holy time of the year. What better gift could we give our Savior to celebrate His birth?.. He who said, “Whatever you do for the most humble of my people, you do for me.”
This wonderful Christmas effort brings so much joy and goodness into the world. You can be a part of it by returning the enclosed cards for our Adopt-A-Family Gift Program and Loaves & Fishes Food Program.
A reminder that our Christmas effort starts in prayer each year with our Gratitude Mass the Friday night after Thanksgiving at 7:00 pm.