Strong, determined and courageous: 'I am breaking the cycle' (original) (raw)
Globe Santa's mailbox is packed with letters from families rising above their circumstances, rebuilding their lives and giving their children hope.
Globe Santa executive director Bill Connolly (center) was joined by Arnold & Porter employees, from left, legal secretary Marilyn Rodriguez, associate Anna Cardoso, legal resource assistant Teagan Kim, partner Fred Kelly, legal secretary Pam DiBella, office coordinator Stephanieleigh Tedesco, associate Annie Li, associate K.D. Harbeck, and IT analyst Earl Ashby, at Arnold & Porter's Boston office to accept their donation of $2,805 to help buy gifts for children in need. Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe
Bostonians have traditionally been described as tough and resilient.
In Globe Santa’s eyes, the characterization could hardly be more accurate.
The campaign’s mailbox is packed with letters from families rising above their circumstances, rebuilding their lives and giving their children hope.
The guardian of a 12-year-old boy is Exhibit A.
She took custody of the child in 2020, welcoming an underfed, chronically ill and neglected boy into her home.
“He had many struggles over the years with medical and social/emotional issues,” she writes. “He initially had trouble with eating healthy and sleep issues.”
The boy hadn’t even experienced one of the most treasured childhood activities.“He didn’t know how to ride a bike,” she explains.
In the four years since, the child she now calls her son has not merely improved, he has excelled. “He’s a high honor student for the past 2 years,” she writes.
Before she became his guardian, he’d been isolated and lonely. Today, he hasa host of friends and, more often than not can be foundon the ball field.
“He now plays sports hockey, soccer and made the Major League for little league baseball,” she writes.
As for the bike riding? “He has mastered riding a bike,” she writes with pride. “Although his current bike just broke.”
In another letter to Globe Santa, a single mother in Boston writes from Hyde Park of her mission to provide her twin 4-year-old boys with a better childhood than her own.
She’s fallen on hard times financially, but the latest challenges have only renewed her determination
“I’m a social worker by trade and was in the system as a child,” she writes. “I am breaking the cycle and working hard to get back on track.”
And in a town northwest of Boston, a mother of four children with special needs requires help for the first time this holiday season.
She was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and underwent chemotherapy last January.
The recovery was prolonged and painful, and the toll it took on her budget was devastating.
“This year, a third of my income was lost and it has greatly impacted my dream to have a happy holiday season with my children,” she writes. “As honor roll students, compassionate kids who love to help and support others – they deserve a Christmas as special as they are!”
Battling cancer has flipped the script on her more familiar role as a benefactor.
“I spend a great deal of my spare time volunteering and giving back to the community,” she writes. “But, this year my family happens to be the one in need.”
Globe Santa this year will deliver books, toys, games and other gifts to these deserving children, and tens of thousands of others.
But we need your help.
Visit globesanta.org today to make a contribution – no amount is too small -WF and help put a smile on the face of a child this holiday season.
Christopher Tangney can be reached at [email protected]
For 69 years Globe Santa, a program of the Boston Globe Foundation, has provided gifts to children in need at holiday time. Please consider giving by phone, mail, or online at globesanta.org.
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