Support Phyllis's Family and Carissa's Care

My name is George Winterstein, and I am a volunteer and organizer with our community food pantry. Phyllis, who is widowed, comes to our pantry each week to obtain food for herself and the three children that she is raising. Phyllis is the loving grandmother of Christalynn (17), Cody (11), and Carissa (9). Phyllis’s daughter is the mother of the children. She relinquished custody of each of the children shortly after birth and has not had contact with them for the past seven years. Phyllis has assumed the responsibility of raising each of the children. The youngest, Carissa, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer at age two. She has undergone radiation treatment, a bone marrow transplant, and chemotherapy multiple times, as well as other treatments, but the cancer remains. At her most recent appointment a spot was discovered on her lung. More tests are forthcoming.

Phyllis survives on her social security of $1450/month and $302/month for two of the children and a small state adoption subsidy for two of the children. The father of the third child refuses to relinquish custody to Phyllis and pays nothing in support. I have been to their home to repair a plumbing leak and found their mobile home, while small, to be very clean and a happy place for the children. They attend their church each Sunday.

Their bills include $379/month for the mobile home payment, $450/month for the lot fee, gas and expenses to transport Carissa to doctor and hospital visits, maintainence on their ten year old van, utilities averaging $250 month, food, insurance and household expenses leaving little for clothing, necessities, and none left for any extras.

I would like to help relieve the family of the financial burden with which they struggle by raising funds to pay off the balance on the mobile home ($1074), pay their utilities for one year, food and necessities, pay for the gas and expenses for hospital trips for Carissa and new clothes, shoes and school fees for the children. Any additional funds would go to ongoing household expenses. I humbly ask that you support this family with your prayers and a financial gift in whatever amount you can spare. May God bless you.