NJ-2026-0061: Widowed single mother, unemployed and behind on rent, hoping to keep the Christmas magic alive for her 3-year-old daughter

FAMILY BACKGROUND:
A widowed single mother is raising her 3-year-old daughter in Egg Harbor City. Her little girl is her whole world: sweet, loving and funny, and she still believes in Santa and the magic of Christmas. This year her mother is scared. She is unemployed, behind on her rent, and waiting for a decision on her unemployment benefits, and she often has to choose between paying rent and buying food or medicine. She is looking for work, asking for help everywhere she can, and doing everything she can to get them back on stable ground. Her daughter doesn't know about the bills or the worry. She only knows that Christmas is coming. Asking for help is very hard for this mother, but she wants to protect her daughter's innocence and give her one morning where she runs to the tree full of excitement. Even the simplest gifts would mean the world to her.

CITY: Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
STATE: New Jersey
COUNTY: ATLANTIC
HOUSEHOLD SIZE: 2
HEALTH CONDITIONS IN HOUSEHOLD: Mental health condition, including depression, anxiety, PTSD or bipolar disorder
HOW THE FAMILY CAN RECEIVE GIFTS: No preference

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD:
Age: 41
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women's L
Shoe Size: Women's 8
Wishlist: Walmart gift card, Amazon gift card, 26" women's bike, Skechers sneakers (size 8), shampoo and conditioner, oil-based craft paint (various colors)

CHILD #1:
Age: 3
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Toddler 3T
Shoe Size: Toddler 8
Wishlist: JMMD 6-in-1 toddler bike with handle (Amazon), Nutcracker ballerina Barbie, quick-dry nail polish pens, Play-Doh with cookie cutters, washable markers, plaster figurines to paint, craft paint, Demon Hunter blanket, girls' stretch pants (2T), girls' winter shirts (3T), multicolor toddler socks, toddler snow boots (size 8), toddler sneakers (size 8), hair bows, 18-inch doll clothes