Jackson, 15, and his sister Emma, 10, both attend Bellevue public schools. Jackson loves to play basketball. Emma plays basketball as well, but her true loves are art and writing. They also have an incredibly resilient mother, Alison. When asked what her biggest challenge had been over the past year, Alison smiled through her tears and said, “Nothing surprises me anymore.”
In the last 12 months, this family has faced medical bills, an eviction notice and a car breakdown that left them entirely reliant on public transportation. Even though Alison works full time, she often finds herself with barely $30 left out of her paycheck after paying rent and bills. Despite her busy schedule, she still makes sure Jackson and Emma get to school and sports practices on the bus. “They’re good kids,” she shared. “I have to do what I have to do in order to make them happy.”
That’s why Alison signed her family up for Bellevue LifeSpring’s Holiday Adopt-A-Family™ program. Holiday Adopt-A-Family matches Bellevue families in need with community sponsors who ease the burden of holiday expenses by providing food, clothing and gifts for Christmas and the long winter break.
Jackson and Emma’s Christmas wishes are simple things that will allow them to continue the hobbies that help them cope with stress at home: – basketball shoes for Jackson and a journal for Emma to write her thoughts and sketch her dreams.
Over 3,700 children and their families are living in poverty in Bellevue. For these families, the holiday season often means additional child care expenses during school breaks and pressure to provide gifts and special meals they can’t afford. Last holiday season, the Bellevue community came together to help support 622 children and their families at Christmas. It’s an opportunity for friends and neighbors to have a hands-on impact and make a real difference through sponsoring, volunteering or donating to a family in need. Visit our Holiday Adopt-A-Family page to learn more.
