I want to start by just saying I think it’s great that a large corporation like yours recognizes the needs of its community and works each year to try and affect change in the lives of the people around it. You should truly be commended for your efforts and other businesses should follow your lead.
I want to nominate Stephanie Williams. Stephanie was a single mom of 4. Until recently she was working as a nursing tech at St. Luke’s on the Plaza and putting herself through nursing school to become an RN.
In September her home caught on fire and Stephanie made it out with 3 of her 4 kids. Stephanie, her daughters Jordan (10), Olivia (9), and her son Steven (4) made it out. But her youngest, Darren (3), was upstairs playing in his room when the fire broke out and Stephanie was unable to reach him. Firefighters arrived and when they located Darren he was in his closet crouched down trying to escape the flames engulfing the home. Badly burned he was life-flighted to a children’s burn hospital in Ohio and doctors were unable to save him.
The fire consumed everything but the clothes on their backs. This is their first Christmas since the accident. To compound matters, Stephanie is no longer with St. Luke’s. They cut a number of their employees and while many were able to receive severance packages, they weren’t able to keep their jobs. Stephanie chose the severance but I believe she is still without a job. The four of them are living in temporary rental housing in Grandview now. I know that she would be a grateful recipient of anything she can get.
Stephanie is definitely a mother in need. And this Christmas has a great possibility to be a very memorable one, either good or bad. I wish you the best of luck in your efforts to find a mother who really deserves this. And I think Stephanie is just that mother. Best of luck. And Merry Christmas. Thanks again.
Dustin Sollars Park Hill HS