Some families are falling behind on rent. Others are sleeping in homeless shelters or hotels.
Many rely on food pantries and food stamps to feed their children.
There are stories of domestic violence and family breakups, of parents with serious illnesses and children with disabilities.
You might think toys and books would be low on the list of concerns.
But parents who are reaching out to the Press Herald Toy Fund for help say those harsh realities — and the stress and trauma they create — are the very reasons their children need and deserve a measure of joy during the holidays.
“Your support would bring joy to our home and help ease some of the financial stress this season,” a mother of two wrote to the fund.
“It’s been a difficult year for us, as I assume it has for many others in the same position,” the mother of a 5-year-old boy wrote. “Christmas is his favorite holiday, like most children his age. It makes me feel guilty for the position I am in this year, but I still want to be able to see a smile on his face Christmas morning.”
“We’re struggling to just put food on our table with the increase in prices,” a mother of four from the Midcoast wrote. “It’d be so nice to put a little bit of magic back into Christmas this year.”
“These gifts will allow us to provide a positive, memorable experience, despite the financial stress we are under,” wrote a mother from Cumberland County. “We are deeply grateful for the chance to give them the happiness and hope that every child deserves, helping to make this season feel less about hardship and more about celebration.”
“I’m a single mom and both kids love the magic of the holiday season,” wrote a mother from York County. “A little help would go such a long way in helping keep just a little bit of magic alive.”
The Toy Fund uses the donations of newspaper readers to buy toys and books for kids up to 16 years old in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Androscoggin and Knox counties.
The Portland Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal publish lists of the donations along with stories about the holiday gift drive from Thanksgiving through the month of December.
Those who make an online donation from Thanksgiving through Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2) will be entered to win four tickets to the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Magic of Christmas.
TODAY’S DONATIONS:
- $105.52: In loving memory of K.E.W. — Anonymous
- $52.92: Anonymous
- $52.92: Emily and Ben Swan
- $100.00: Thomas Cook II
- $158.13: Happy Holidays — Pat and Patti DeFilipp
- $105.52: In loving memory of Althea Noyes — Anonymous
- $105.52: A gift from Maine Trust for Local News on behalf of Subtext! Happy Holidays! — Sarah Schmidt
- $100.00: Andrea and Mark Adams
- $105.52: Anonymous
- $52.92: Merry Christmas from the Leavers — Janet Leaver
- $100.00: Dorothy Kelleher
- $500.00: Gorham Lions Club
- $100.00: Suzanne Moffatt
- $105.52: Anonymous
- $250.00: Christine and Willie Johnson
- $150.00: Diane and Carl Walp
- $25.00: Gorham House Lincoln residents
- $100.00: Paul M. Castle
- $200.00: Francis Fay
- $50.00: Ivy Rebekah Lodge 5 IOOF
- $500.00: National Philanthropic Trust
- $400.00: Mark W Kingston
- $250.00: Thank you to all of your wonderful volunteers. Merry Christmas D, C, D, B & F —Daniel T Haley Jr Trust
- $100.00: Catharine H Masterson
- $100.00: Stephen & Dayle Moreau
- $105.52: Looks like a great tradition METLN. Tom — Tom Wiley
- $52.92: Anonymous
- $105.52: Thank you for all you do to support Maine communities — Ross McDuffie
Year to date total: $9,151.90.
HOW TO HELP:
To make a donation online, go to pressherald.com/toy-fund.
Checks made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund may be mailed to 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland ME 04106.
Names of donors are published in the Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.