A Mother’s Desperate Christmas Plea

“Can you please make Christmas happy for my sick son?”

Melissa’s plea was desperate. A single mom, she had already sacrificed so much to take care of Jacob, her 2-year-old son who was ill with multiple tumors. Melissa had to turn down a scholarship offer to law school, and then, when Jacob’s condition worsened, had to quit her job to care for him full-time.

She had never had to ask anyone for help before.

Now she was at the end of her rope. When she made that desperate call to The Salvation Army, just a few weeks before Christmas, we jumped into action. We put Melissa on the list to receive help for Christmas, but also took care of some immediate food needs. And we helped arrange rides to the doctor’s office for Jacob’s appointments.

When Christmas distribution time arrived, Melissa got to choose items for Jacob. With tears in her eyes, she said:

“I can’t believe you are doing this for us. Thank you so much! This will be a great Christmas because of you.”

A few weeks later, Melissa stopped by The Salvation Army office to introduce the staff to Jacob, the little boy who had touched their hearts. Melissa reported that Jacob had a great Christmas, but the best present of all was the news that he was on his way to recovery!

Tags: Division