When asked how she and her son’s holiday season wouldnlook without The Salvation Army, Sara (not her real name) gives a simple answer.

“Christmas? There would have been none,” Sara replies.

Reaching Out

After escaping an abusive marriage, Sara and her young son found

themselves in a challenging situation. At the time, Sara was going to school, so she didn’t have a stable income to maintain her and her son. In an attempt to do anything to survive, they turned to The Salvation Army in Weyburn, Sask.

“We didn’t have anything in our house. Our fridge was empty, the freezer had nothing in it. We were struggling with where to find our next meal,” Sara explains. “We had no idea where it was going to come from. So, I reached out to The Salvation Army.”

Grateful Tears

Once they contacted the Army, Sara and her son received winter gear, were set up with the food bank, received counselling and were registered for the Christmas Adopt a Family program.

“We didn’t have anything in our house, our fridge was empty. The freezer had nothing in it.” SARA

“When we went to The Salvation Army, I was very concerned because I had never done it before, but they were very welcoming. They never judged us. They just took us in with open arms. They treated us like family,” she shares.

What Sara had initially predicted was going to be a non-existent Christmas, suddenly became a special holiday she would never forget. The day she visited The Salvation Army to pick up the gifts from their adoptive family, Sara felt an overwhelming sense of joy and emotion.

“The day that I picked it up, I bawled in their office because we had never had anything like that,” Sara says. “We had never had help. I am  very grateful for The Salvation Army. I can’t thank them enough.”

Giving Back

Both Sara and her son got everything on their wish list, and more. Her son, who has an artistic side, got a complete drawing kit. He also received some bedding, clothes and even a skateboard, which he now uses to travel to school. Sara got lots of winter wear, a turkey and items for their home.

Today, Sara works part time and is rebuilding her life. She hopes to spend a happy Christmas with her son.

“I am hoping to get out and visit some nursing homes. They don’t get very much company,” Sara says. “The Salvation Army gave me so much that, during the holidays, I try to give back. I am looking forward to it.”

 
 
 
Juan Romero is the staff writer/news
media relations specialist at The
Salvation Army’s territorial
headquarters in Toronto.

This story is from: