Dont knwo what to do :(

an idea will come to you. maybe think of a memory you could help give to them, maybe talk with their mom, say you want to do something special. good luck, i will send you some good energy!

Hey Cori,I know youll want to look after everyone and im sure your friend has a lot on her plate, im not in the US so im not sure about charites that can help, but really, arent you doing enough housing her?she has to find help for presents and christmas for her boys herself, as well as income for food and to help you with housing costs and electricity- thats not your job punkin, though i know youd want to do that for her.

Hubby and I are coordinators for Toys for Tots organization here in central FL. LOTS of kids will have Christmas that would not have anything otherwise.

I suggest you look up that organization and see where the nearest one to your area is.

They have a website, just click on your state, then city/county.

they are 6 and 2, the years Christmas is a BIG holiday ya know? No way I would enjoy my christmas or my kids christmas If there wasn't plenty for them too, I don't want to cut down my own kids gifts cause I do live on a budget and buy 3 presents per child each year, 1 thing they want, 1 thing they need, and 1 suprise, or santa gift :) So there isnt much to share, plus I dont think teen gifts would hold much appeal to a toddler :)

I just went to the site and checked, thank you that was a great idea, unfortunately it said our county is not covered by toys for tots. My house is in a super rural area so we dont have many help organizations out here, like 87% of our land is agricultural and we have the lowest per capita income in our part of Florida.

the fact that I live 25 miles from any town and she doesnt have a car is really hurting her Job search. I won 2 vehicles but My husband and I have to use them for work and appointments, and its somewhat of a challenge finding a job that lets her work our days off, which IS 4 days a week cause hubby and I have different days off :)

own* not won LOL

Take her to Social Services. I'm guessing uf you look up your town and the words social services, you'll have the number in seconds.

Tomorrow is Friday, call them as soon as their office opens, tell them what's up and/or make an appointment.

She can get t emporary assistance (and everyone, just STFU about food stamps). When people need help they should get help.

It might take a few days but since there's a child involved, she'll probably qualify for some cash assistance too.

You'd probably qualify for food stamps too, OP.


And this is also a good opportunity to re-evaluate what Christmas is supposed to be.

It's not about buying/receiving gifts.

Is there a church group? I've heard that Catholic Charities will help folks even if they're not Catholic.

Worst case scenario, see if you can find anything at a thrift store that looks fairly new and can be cleaned up ... I had to do that one year when my ex quit paying child support.

After the holidays have your friend get in touch with Child Support Enforcement, it takes months but they will help get her the support she is legally entitled to.

I had her apply for FS online, she hasnt heard back yet, she has an open case with FL child support, they wont do anything till he hasnt paid anything in 60 days, and he made a 30$ payment in the last week of Oct. If /when he files his tax return there is an intercept to get her some of the 14K he owes her now total. Christmas is about family and togetherness but a 6 year old should have something from Santa no matter what, I will defently go look at the thrift stores for something awesome, ya never know :)

I dont think we need FS for us, we own our home and our vehicles free and clear and dont consume a lot of things, we are pretty comfortable at living within our means, and I can live on a tight budget its just this was unexpected and I didn't have any wiggle room this month, after making sure my own kids got their 3 presents :)

Many churches will help out families in need. You could check the churches in your area. Also, you could try calling 211 and asking if they have a contact information for help with this or for other needs you or your friend may have.
[link to www.211us.org]

Good luck and have a Merry Christmas

Thank you , i will check :)

So you ARE in FL? Do you mind telling me how far south? I might be able to help w/T4T if you are close enough to me.

;-)

Call a local church. Our church does a giving tree for families who want to have a nice Christmas for their kids but can't afford to buy gifts.

Defiantly check churches. If you attend one speak with your pastor or priest. He can help.

Talk to God. He will help. Bless you and your family.

I hope you and your extended family have a great Christmas.

It's not a always about the presents.

You sound like a really great person!!!!

Tell your kids the problem and ask them to make some presents for the other kids. Plus your own children are probably great like you, so you could ask them if one of the presents you would have given them, could be one they choose to give to one of the other little kids.

You are the spirit of christmas. Thanks OP!

no idea how they do their thing but the Marines collect toys too.
Call the local recruiter and give him a quick overview on how this was just dropped in your lap.

Maybe...he can help.

Yes, that's Toys for Tots program. OP says she checked on-line and they don't live close enough to one of the counties doing it.

Try posting for help on CL or 2hands.org - there are many similar online sites that might be able to help.

We live in Washington county fl :) I am checking craigs list as speak :) thats an awesome idea, If I can find a used DS I can return my sons , and that should free up some money for more toys and im sure my son wont care :)

Do this, OP! Toys for Tots is a wonderful organization and if anyone can help get those kids some toys for Christmas, they will.

i did try this, they dont help in Washington county fl :), craigs list has some really cheap toys, im seeing lots of nice toddler things at like 10 and 15, ill talk to hubby when he gets home and see if he will go for it

Churches? Check with your local DHS office.

Check craigslist also, you never know what you might find.

You could contact some TV stations & let them know of your plight, never know what might come your way.

She is banging your husband.

They dont even like each other that much LOL< oil and water, they dont mix :) But my hubby is a GREAT guy and would never see two kids out on the street :)

*know , not knwo

you'll be okay!

Bless you for helping. Don't underestimate what fun you can buy for a young child at the dollar tree. Ten bucks spent carefully there can gt a young child quite a bit of fun and entertainment. Books, art supplies, frisbee, etc. good luck and happy holidays!