Hi everyone,

As much as I hate to ask for help again, I’ve reached a point where I need to. This year has been filled with challenges—ongoing health problems, multiple surgeries, and financial struggles—and now, with Christmas approaching, I want nothing more than to have my kids here with me.

I was supposed to be in school this semester, but because of health issues that disrupted my last attempt back in 2019, I had to file a medical appeal to get everything back on track. Thankfully, that’s all set now, and I’m registered to start again next semester. I’m working toward a nursing degree, which will open up opportunities for a better future for me and my family. It’s a long road, and there are still uncertainties, especially with the potential changes to Pell grants if the Department of Education is dismantled, but I’m holding onto hope and doing what I can to move forward.

Right now, though, my focus is on Christmas and my children. They live far away, and I just can’t afford the travel costs to bring them home. On top of that, I’m behind on bills, and there’s nothing left over for gifts or even a small celebration.

We also have a new addition to our home—a German Shepherd who has brought so much comfort and safety to our lives. She has a health condition that requires special food and enzymes, and while I’m committed to giving her the care she needs, it adds to the financial strain.

Your support would help me:

1. Bring my kids home for Christmas. This is my biggest wish and priority.

2. Catch up on overdue bills. It’s been a struggle to keep up, and this would help us get back on track.

3. Provide some Christmas magic for my kids. I’d love to be able to give them even a little holiday joy with gifts or a special meal.

4. Cover expenses for my dog’s care. She’s become an important part of our lives, and keeping her healthy is essential.

I’m so grateful for the support I’ve already received from loved ones, but this time I need a little extra help to make Christmas possible. Asking is hard, but knowing that there are people who care gives me the courage to reach out.

Every donation, no matter how small, will bring us closer to being together as a family this holiday season. If you can’t donate, sharing this page would mean so much. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for helping us create the kind of Christmas memories that will carry us through the harder days.

With gratitude,

Kelly Reed

I’ve been trying to figure out what I need to make this Christmas possible, and here’s what I’m looking at:

1. Flights for my kids:

Since they live far away, I’ll either need to fly them as unaccompanied minors or fly there to bring them back with me.

Flights this close to Christmas aren’t cheap, and there are extra fees for unaccompanied minors (about $150 each way per child). If I fly to get them and back, I’ll need two more tickets. Flights alone could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 or more, depending on availability and prices.

2. Catching up on rent: I’m currently one month behind, which is about $800.

3. Phone bills: I owe about $110 right now, and another $110 will be due soon, so that’s $220 total.

4. Storage unit: I’m behind on my storage unit payments and need about $250 to catch up.

5. Utilities: My utilities are usually around $100 a month, and I think I’m behind, so I need about $150 to cover that.

6. Other holiday expenses: I’d love to be able to get my kids gifts and make Christmas feel special for them. I’ll also need to cover other travel-related expenses like meals, baggage fees, or anything unexpected. I think an extra $500 to $800 would help with these costs.

Altogether, I think I’ll need about $3,000 to $3,500 to cover everything. I know it’s a lot, but it would help me bring my kids home, catch up on essential bills, and give them the Christmas they deserve.