NJ-2026-0107: Single working mother of four caring for her twin sister through breast cancer treatment while falling behind on her own bills

FAMILY BACKGROUND:
A single mother in Brick Township is raising her four children, ages 20, 15, 11 and 3, while working part-time. This has been an especially hard year. Her identical twin sister was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and has been through intensive chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. Mom has been her main support and unpaid caregiver, going to as many appointments as she can and staying connected by FaceTime when she cannot be there. Her sister is also a mother of four, and that family has experienced homelessness, so Mom has been working to help them find assistance and stable housing. Helping her sister has taken a great deal of her time, energy and money, and she has fallen behind on her own bills, leaving nothing to set aside for Christmas. The family also has to move out of their rental before February 2027. She is not asking for anything extravagant, only a few presents under the tree so her children can enjoy being kids and have something to look forward to. The greatest gift of all would be to see her sister come through this cancer-free.

CITY: Brick Township, NJ 08723
STATE: New Jersey
COUNTY: OCEAN
HOUSEHOLD SIZE: 5
HEALTH CONDITIONS IN HOUSEHOLD: Mental health condition, including depression, anxiety, PTSD or bipolar disorder; developmental or learning disability, including ADHD
HOW THE FAMILY CAN RECEIVE GIFTS: No preference

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD:
Age: 38
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women's 0
Shoe Size: Women's 8.5
Wishlist: For her family to receive good news for once; gift cards of any kind (for gas, etc.); anything at all would be a blessing

ADULT #2:
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Men's M
Shoe Size: Men's 10
Wishlist: Gift cards (Best Buy, Target, gas card); he is a Giants fan

CHILD #1:
Age: 15
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women's 2
Shoe Size: Women's 8
Wishlist: Valentino perfume, 1/4-zip sweatshirt, new white Nike sneakers, soccer ball, gift cards (Visa, Ulta, McDonald's, Starbucks, Target)

CHILD #2:
Age: 11
Sex: Male
Clothing Size: Kids 14
Shoe Size: Men's 8
Wishlist: Fishing gear and accessories, BMX scooter, prepaid cell phone, gift cards (Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart, Roblox)

CHILD #3:
Age: 3
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Toddler 4T
Shoe Size: Toddler 8
Wishlist: Barbies, baby dolls, bath toys, makeup, K-pop Demon Hunters and Disney items; anything at all would make her so happy