Madison, Connecticut

My husband had a career change at 40 and decided to become a teacher. He teaches music in the inner city and loves his job. Teaching only 15 years and several pay freezes he is not that far up on the pay scale. He supplements our income by playing in several bands on the weekends. I am a teachers aid and babysit and cut hair to get extra income, yet we live paycheck to paycheck. It was easier to hide our financial difficulties when our kids were little but now in their teens they are all very aware. I thank God for our local food pantry that helps me put dinner on our table especially when there is no money for groceries. Our families and friends have no idea of our struggles. I have become close with one of the volunteers at the pantry and she called me in when the pantry was closed. She presented me with the jar filled with loose change and dollars..200.00 to be exact. I felt so many emotions, I just burst into tears. Christmas can be a stressful time without money and buying presents often means not paying a bill because there is no extra. As much as I want to use this money for my children it saddens me to say it needs to go to my plumber who just repaired our pipes in pur back yard. I am so grateful that I am able to pay this 250.00 bill. I have never heard of the Christmas Jar and consider my friend my Christmas Angel…I hope someday to pay it forward… Peace and God’s Blessings….