Christmas Help Suggestions

[Momma Bear]

I was wondering if anyone knew of anywhere that is offering help for Christmas. I have 4 kids and have no money to put towards Christmas. Truth be told, we are far behind in our bills, so there is no extra money. period.

Before you go off on how we should get a job, my husband has an MBA and as applied to over 150 jobs. I am searching for a job, and have applied at over 30 places including Kroger, Walmart etc. So, we are not trying to rely on the rest of the world to take care of our kids, we are just in a really bad spot and I have been having nightmares that my kids would not have a Christmas.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have,

Momma Bear

[Sally B]

Most churches in the area will help. There is a church in Damascus, not sure which one did a Christmas Store last year where parents went and shopped and it was all free. I have a cousin that fell into the same situation last year and someone told her about them. I am fairly sure the Baptist Church and the one with the Youth Center both have a program. Check it out and God Bless you. I hope things turn around for you. **Salvation Army does Angel trees---you could call and ask to have your children added.

[eat well]

sell your omputer.

[Curious]

Why don't u post a contact for people that may be interested in sending your kids something?

[Momma Bear]

Thank you for your suggestions. As for selling my computer, it is my husband's work computer, so unfortunatley that is not option. If someone would truly like to help, I would be so very grateful. You can email me at [e-mail]
Thank you for not being judgemental. It is so very hard to ask for help.

[Hard Times]

First Presbyterian Church in Bristol TN is having a Christmas Shop Thursday Nov. 12 from 5-7...many items at greatly reduced prices. Address is 701 Florida Ave. Also Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon does a collection for children in need each year, you could call them and ask for details on how to get your kids involved. Good luck and God Bless, I will be praying you both find work soon!!

[Momma Bear]

Thank you for your response Hard Times. Unfortunatley we go to Highlands and they are not doing anything for Christmas this year. Thank you for the information about First Presbyterian.

[Sally B]

Yesterday I ask my cousin and the church in Damascus-First Baptist is having a Christmas Program for kids and she said as far as she knew that the One Way Church has the food pantry and clothing store. She doesn't know about the Christmas Store this year that it hadn't been announced yet. I know that some of the schools take certain kids that are in need and buy their Christmas. If your kids go to Rhea Valley Elem. they have a program.

[too close]

eat well wrote:

sell your omputer.

yea and stop paying for internet.

[Momma Bear]

Thank you for your concern too close, but we don't pay for internet. I appreciate your concern though.

[Mom]

No matter what school your kids go to, ask the leader of the scouts if they are going to support any kids for Christmas. It will help you, make the boys feel good, make your kids happy and in some cases the boys need to do a community service project for their badges. Good luck and God bless

[frosty]

I used to work in a Dr.'s office, and we would pick a couple of families with kids and help buy Christmas gifts for the kids instead of exchanging gifts with our co-workers. Maybe if you know someone in this field they could help your kids at Christmas. God Bless you and may your kids have a great Christmas.

[simple things]

look at this site for some ideas

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21044945.tip.html

[snow]

Contact the local schools. Most of them do things to help families in the community.

[Momma Bear]

Thanks simple things for that website! That is awesome.

[dan]

her husband has a work computer so he must work she doesn,t pay for internet so his company must pay for it for him. sounds like a good job to me . quit begging and start praying. god will provide

[Beth]

Sending your resume over the computer is a big step in saving gasoline and time. Using ones computer to find work is a wonderful tool. I didn't see this as begging. A lot of people are out of a job and needing help. Where is some good ole compassion, it could be me or you -another time , another place, so before throwing stones when you don't know the whole story, give some advise--I bet you have some good stuff that you know that might help the lady out.

[whatt]

You mean the big mega church highlands is not using Christmas this year to further it's agenda? i understand they may not being doing an outreach to the community but not even taking care of their own? Have you found any help yet Momma Bear? If not i will get you the name of a small group of people who are doing big things for hurting people in the name of Jesus. Highlands has left it's first love and their focus is only on how big they can be and how much publicity they can get and sending people overseas and bringing them over here but they will let their own go without offering them the true love of Jesus. i'm praying you find the real spirit of christmas and receive the help you need.

[Sally B]

In Damascus as I wrote before they are going to be giving clothes away at the Rock School and then having a Christmas Store for parents to shop (free) 2 of the town churches are doing this. Call The First Baptist Church for days and times.

[Momma Bear]

I just came back onto Topix because I was wondering if anyone else had responded. And to my surprise it was the top topix. I truly appreciate the additional responses. When I first posted, I said that I was looking for suggestions, not for handouts. I understand that there are so many hurting and in need this Christmas season. We unfortunately are one of them. I was able to get 2 gifts each for my kids from Toys for Tots. There is also a lady that has some used stuffed animals that she is giving me for my kids. Thanks for the suggestion about Damascus, when you first mentioned it, I had left a message and never got a response, you have reminded me to follow up on it.

As for the person who said pray, God will provide. We have been praying, I pray constantly throughout the day, and nightly me and my family pray together that God will give my husband a better job (as I found out that I am going to require surgery on my ankle in the next couple weeks) While I do believe that God can just make something appear, I also believe that you sometime need to ask.

Thank you all again for your help and advice.