Hope for the Holidays
How to Help

Rick Smith's article in the San Angelo Standard-Times which appeared on Friday, December 4, 2009, regarding the Sandoval Family has inspired many people to call and ask how they can help. Donations of items have been phenomenal and the basic needs of blankets and heaters have been met.

The second 2009 Hope for the Holidays case was featured in Rick Smith's column on Tuesday, December 8. Entitled "Woman takes in orphaned nephews" it highlights a local non-traditional family. Donations of furniture, bedding, clothes, and holiday decorations have already been accepted on behalf of the family.

To get an update on these families, see Rick Smith's follow-up article in the San Angelo Standard-Times entitled "Take a Bow, Readers, for the Holiday Help" which appeared on December 23.

Individuals, who are interested in helping with services may contact the Hope for the Holidays Program at (325) 949-3716.

Another great story was featured in Rick's column on Sunday, December 13. This one is about a victim of sexual abuse and her wish to smile again. A local dentist has volunteered to meet this need.

Rick's December 16 article about a lady who needed help to purchase diabetic shoes was met with great offers from employees from a local bank who offered to purchase the shoes. A local retailer gave the bank employees a further discount and Mary is getting her shoes AND three sets of inserts formed to her feet. This is a great community!!! Rick included text of a thank you letter from Mary in his January 8 column.

The story which appeared on December 20 detailed a retired drug and alcohol counselor's wish to return to Waco to an assisted living facility but she is not able to because she lacks funds to move. Thanks to a generous San Angelo company and your donations, she was settled in Waco by New Year's.

On December 26, Rick Smith continued his Hope for the Holidays coverage by updating the community on small miracles that happen before he writes the stories. See the article entitled, "It's About Taking Care of Our Own." A community member whose wish was granted publicly thanked Hope for the Holidays in a letter to the editor on January 7, 2010.

The donations made both directly to Hope for the Holidays and through the KLST Friendship Tree are greatly appreciated.

Even though the Holidays are over, there are still people writing in who need help. Specifically, there are a number of dental cases. If you can help these needy people, send your check or money order to:

Hope for the Holidays
c/o United Way of the Concho Valley
P.O. Box 3710
San Angelo, TX 76902-3710