By Mackenzi Klemann - mklemann@limanews.com

The Adopt a Stocking Fund benefits families during the holiday season. Monetary donations can be given online at give.salvationarmy.org/stocking or via Adopt a Stocking; 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.

LIMA — Emily is determined not to let the threat of eviction or her youngest daughter’s recent hospital stay bring the entire family’s spirits down.

A mother of seven, Emily (not her real name) has spent months trying to find remote work that would allow her to stay home with her children, two of whom have special needs.

But the ubiquitous help-wanted signs have become little more than an illusion for Emily, who has yet to land a job despite filling out job applications each day.

The stress is overwhelming, especially after Emily’s 10-month-old daughter was hospitalized with a urinary tract infection and COVID-19. Emily spent so much time in the hospital that week that she was unable to complete paperwork so the family could continue receiving food stamps, she said.

For now, Emily is relying on her partner and a patchwork of public assistance to provide for the family of nine, but the threat of eviction and utility cutoffs still weigh on the couple as they plan for Christmas.

The family of nine is one of dozens participating in the Salvation Army’s Adopt a Stocking Fund, which provides gifts and support to families in need during the holiday season.

Still, Emily works hard to ensure her children know their circumstances are temporary.

“I try to lift them up and not let it bring us down, so they know that it’s OK,” Emily said. “We may be down now, but we’re getting up in the end. We may take that strike, but we’re going to win.”

The seven children need winter jackets, shoes and school uniforms, while Emily and her partner need help paying rent and buying gifts for the children.

The kids enjoy playing board games, as well as playing with toy wolves, horses, baby dolls and trucks.

• 12 F—Size 12 Youth in pants, shirts and jackets; 5Y shoes and adult 6 socks.

•12 F—Size 14-16 pants; 10-12 shirts; 15 jackets; 6 (adult) shoes.

• 9 F—Size 7-8 pants; 7-8 shirts; 8-10 jackets; 3.5-4 shoes.

• 7 M—Size 8 pants, shirts and jackets; 2s shoes.

• 6 M—Size 6-7 pants, shirts and jackets; 12-1 shoes.

• 5 M—Size 6-7 pants, shirts and jackets; 12-1shoes.

• Baby F—12-18 onesies and shirts; 4-5 diapers.

The Adopt a Stocking Fund benefits families during the holiday season. Monetary donations can be given online at give.salvationarmy.org/stocking or via Adopt a Stocking; 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.

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