When I think of the holidays, one of  my fondest memories is the joy radiating from the faces of my children when they opened their presents on Christmas morning.

Yet through no fault of their own, hundreds of children in our community don’t get to experience that same kind of joy. There are any number of factors, but the reason really doesn’t matter when you’re a kid and your family can’t afford to buy Christmas gifts.

We can’t make a difference for every family, but we can help one.

My Edmonds News is teaming up with Lynnwood Today to adopt a deserving but struggling family this holiday season.

To protect their anonymity, we can’t share too much personal information. We were put in touch with this nice family through Clothes For Kids, a Lynnwood-based non-profit that provides school wardrobes to needy children.

The family is a mother, a 7-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl. They have been homeless for a few years, living in motels and even in their car. They were recently placed into Section 8 housing. The children attend an elementary school in the area.

Nancy-Laird Burris, program manager at Clothes For Kids, told us, “the mom was overwhelmed with the generous offer of help. She said ‘this will take a great weight off me — the kids haven’t had much of a Christmas for the last few years.’”

Below are gift suggestions and clothing sizes. (They are suggestions only. Feel free to use your own judgment.) Gifts may also be dropped off at Clothes For Kids. Please designate “Lynnwood Today” or “My Edmonds News” somewhere on the package. Or they may be mailed to Mike Murphy c/o Lynnwood Today, PO Box 3505, Lynnwood, WA 98046.

Financial contributions may be sent via PayPal (to myedmondsnews@gmail.com). We can also pick up items. Just drop us a line.

Local businesses are encouraged to participate – toys, gift cards or cash donations are all welcome. Each donor will be recognized on Lynnwood Today and My Edmonds News, unless you choose to remain anonymous.

Thank you for making a difference for a local family this holiday season.

Suggestions

Girl, 10-years-old

CD player/radio, pink
CDs for a 10-year-old girl
Nintendo DSI games (someone gave her the game system but she doesn’t have any games)
Board games – ages 8 and up for her and her brother
Girl’s clothing – size 18/20 (best place to find plus-size girl clothing are JCPenney and Justice. There is an urgent need for clothing.)
Shoes – size 4 1/2
Socks and underwear
Double-A batteries

Boy, 7-years-old

Nintendo DSI game system and games (age appropriate)
Remote control car or helicopter
Action figures
Shoes – size 4
Jeans  (size to be determined)
Shirts, boxers or socks – size 14

Family Items

TV with a DVD player (the family does not have a TV or cable)
Nintendo Wii and games
Blankets
Beds (the children don’t have mattresses)
Bedding/pillows
Towels
Laundry soap
Toiletries, shampoo, bath wash, bar soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes
Dish soap
Bath tissue
Set of dishes
Gift cards to local groceries
Pre-made Christmas dinner (such as from Safeway or Albertsons)

— Teresa Wippel, Publisher
My Edmonds News