For the St. Louis American
Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH), in collaboration with The St. Louis American, appeal once again to your generosity and compassion in this holiday season. Please join us in the 2007 People Against Poverty Campaign. More under-served families, whose holidays and lives will be brightened by a tangible or financial gift from St. Louis-area citizens, are listed below.
For additional information, contact Gloria Taylor of Community Women Against Hardship at (314) 289-7523. Please make checks payable to “Community Women Against Hardship.” The Community Women Against Hardship Family Support Center is located at 3963 West Belle Place, St. Louis.
#13. Ms. S. is an HIV-positive single mother of a 17-year-old son who is unable to work. The son has never been in trouble, doesn’t complain and visits his grandmother at least three days a week. The mother would like to involve him in some positive youth program. It would be wonderful if she could acquire toiletries, detergents, tissue, tooth paste, deodorant, and a Play Station or MP3 player (for her deserving teenager).
#14. Ms. P. is a single mother of two, living in low-income housing and currently pursuing her G.E.D. She expects that a high school diploma will increase her earning power and, hence, ability to provide for her children. Her needs include pants, shirts, shoes, caps, gloves, blankets, linen, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, towels and comforters.
#15. Ms. M. is a high school student and single mother of four-month-old twin girls who wants to attend college. She is moving into her first apartment and needs clothing, blankets, linen, pots, pans, a microwave oven, dishes, and kitchen appliances, and will graciously accept any kind of gift.
#16. Ms. G. is a single mother of nine who works as a home health aid. Her five-year-old is a special education student on a ventilator as a result of exposure to lead-based paint. When the family moved from their apartment, their furniture had been ruined by water damage in storage. They are now sleeping on air mattresses on the floor and the heat has been off for two years, causing them to use electric heaters. The family needs shoes, shirts, pants, pots, pans, dishes, linen, blankets, beds and an electric dryer.
#17. Ms. B. is a mother of two of her own and caretaker of two abandoned children. She receives no assistance for them and lives in a house with no gas. Severe physical conditions prevent her from working. She would appreciate jackets, coats, shoes, pants, blouses and lingerie. The wish list for the children includes a Brainiac game and a mini camcorder.
#18. Mr. F. inherited his three-year-old nephew through his sister’s death about a year ago and the murder of the child’s father six months later. He is also caring for his own nearly year-old daughter and his girlfriend’s daughter, and he lost his mother a few years ago. This young man works the night shift at Proctor & Gamble. His needs include shoes, clothes, coats and toys.
#19. Ms. J. is a single mother of six who works part time and attends school full time, pursuing an associate’s degree at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. A survivor of domestic abuse, she is still dealing with emotional and physical scars. She is trying to get a divorce, but does not have sufficient funds. Moreover, her youngest daughter is a carrier for the MRSA virus and is constantly hospitalized. Her needs are for shirts, pants, tops and bottoms, and the wish list includes a washer/dryer, beds and educational toys for the kids.
#20. Ms. C. is a grandmother living on AFDC who recently took custody of her six-year-old granddaughter, despite problems with her health, finances and living arrangements. She is currently seeking employment, since she will have to pay an electric bill from her previous apartment before she can get a new one. She would like to have a doll, a scooter and some clothing.
All of the deserving candidates will be immensely grateful for the support, in many forms, from our more fortunate neighbors. The Community Women Against Hardship Family Support Center, 3963 West Belle Place, is open all year round and constantly requires replenishment of its food pantry and warehouse of household items and supplies.
For additional information or to contribute, contact Gloria Taylor of Community Women Against Hardship at (314) 289-7523. Please make checks payable to “Community Women Against Hardship.”