Dec. 24 -- LIMA -- When Shay thinks about the Christmas tree in her front room, she can't help but get emotional.
There are gifts for her four children, thanks to the generosity of people donating to the Adopt a Stocking Fund this year.
"I appreciate getting the help from you guys for not being able to provide Christmas right," said Shay, a name she chose to help protect her privacy. "I wasn't able to provide it like I was supposed to, but your organizations really helped. My kids aren't going to be without things for Christmas. I'm very grateful."
Readers donated $3,750 to the Adopt a Stocking Fund through Monday morning. The annual collaboration between the Salvation Army and The Lima News provides gifts and support for children who might go without during this holiday season. The newspaper has profiled a different family in each edition since Thanksgiving.
Donations are welcomed through the end of the year.
Shay's family struggled mightily in the past two years. It started with a speeding ticket that spiraled out of control, as she was driving without insurance. With her license revoked, she couldn't continue driving and working as a home health aide. She went from independent to dependent, losing her job, apartment and car.
Now she's doing the best she can for her four children, Whitney, 10; Natasha, 8; Jessica, 5; and Charles, 4.
She sat in her kitchen, with just one chair at the table, holding Charles, who's clearly protective of his mother, telling strangers to go home.
For all Shay's lost in recent years, family is the one thing she still has and cherishes.
"They really don't want too much," said Shay, who said the family enjoys spending time watching movies together. "They're really more family-oriented. They really just love what they've got. They know we can't get everything for them."
Still, the children have dreams.
Whitney dreams of creating YouTube videos and likes making slime. Natasha enjoys dancing, while Jessica wishes she had her own tablet. Charles just likes playing with trucks and being close to his mom.
They remember the better days, when they'd go to swim at local hotels or enjoy meals out. Now they're pretty limited to what's near their friend's apartment in Lima.
"Everything was different when I was able to work, doing my 9 to 5s and actually able to bring in more funds for me and my family, but I haven't been able to do that," Shay said.
ADOPT A STOCKING
The Adopt a Stocking Fund benefits families during the holiday season. Monetary donations can be given online at give.salvationarmy.org/stocking or via check to the Salvation Army with Adopt A Stocking on the memo line; c/o The Salvation Army; P.O. Box 234, Lima, OH 45801. All material donations for a specific family should be dropped off at The Salvation Army, 614 E. Market St., Lima, and should include a copy of the article or the date the story appeared in The Lima News. See past stories at LimaOhio.com/tag/stocking.