WS Chronicle

Photos provided by ESR

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Experiment in Self-Reliance hosted a Christmas Giveaway on Dec. 12 and on into Christmas. In partnership with St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Jerry Romans, and Winston-Salem State University, more than 30 families in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area were adopted for Christmas and were provided with toys and necessities, and a Christmas meal.

St. Leo’s, WSSU, and Mr. Romans, ESR’s board chair, contacted ESR, wanting to give families in need the opportunity to enjoy Christmas. ESR case managers then contacted the families and arranged for pickup. Gifts ranged from bikes, to clothes and turkeys.

Clients and families were thankful to be able to provide a Christmas meal for their families, and give their children toys to open. With the average cost of a Christmas meal being over $50, community members were eager to help clients alleviate that cost.

“It is a blessing to me and my family because my dad has always been my backbone, but he passed away three years ago, so it is just me and my kids and my mom.” Said Aultrice, a Self-Sufficiency client. “This is actually a blessing because I just started a job, and it is only seasonal.”

Marian, who picked up the donation for her husband Ali who is a client of ESR, was all smiles. “This donation means so much to me, and I would like to thank everybody who helped me. I am very thankful, and God bless you! Me and my family are very happy.”

Ambriana, a Self-Sufficiency client, and her husband, were grateful for the unexpected donation they received. “This is the first year we have had a full Christmas in four years. We really didn’t plan on a Christmas.” The client’s husband, who received a bike, can now travel back and forth to work.

“For us to be given all of this, it means the world to us.”

ESR would like to give a special thanks to St. Leo’s Catholic Church, WSSU, and Mr. Romans for their generous donations and for providing hope to families this holiday season.

Experiment in Self-Reliance is a non-profit Community Action Agency that focuses on empower-ing people with low-moderate income to become self-reliant. Programs help provide housing, teach clients to save, budget, and improve credit scores, provide assistance for education, and help clients build assets like homeownership, as well as free tax preparation. All clients must be working. For more information on ESR’s services, visit their website at www.eisr.org or call 336-722-9400.