MADISON, Wis. — News 3 Now has spent the Christmas season helping families in need through our 12 Days of Giving.
The final edition of 12 Days of Giving features two single moms who are struggling to make ends meet, so with the help of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County and gracious community donors Jo Ellen McKenzie and Jenny Santek, News 3 Now gifted them with a Christmas surprise.
Arrielle Edmonds and Jamie Steele have less to celebrate this season compared to years past.
Steele is a military veteran dealing with trauma who said she’s living at poverty level.
“I am a single mom to three girls with no assistance, child support, or anything like that, or other assistance, so it’s hard,” she said.
Edmonds is a single mother of four. Like most people this season, she’s been counting down the days to Christmas, but for a different reason.
“Right now I am struggling. I told the kids Christmas would look a little different this year,” Edmonds said.
As single moms, they are their kids’ only lifeline. Without transportation, it’s impossible to get them where they need to go.
“I am a basketball mom; my babies play sports, so I do a lot of driving,” Edmonds said.
“Recently we’ve had car troubles, and I’ve basically been without a vehicle for a month,” Steele said.
Thanks to the generous donors, Steele received money to repair her vehicle to get her life back on track, while Edmonds got money for her car payment so she could give her kids the best Christmas. Overwhelmed with joy and giving out hugs like Christmas cookies, Steele and Edmonds were shocked, just the way that Christmas should be.
“What a positive thing; that’s awesome,” Steele said.
“We’re so happy to be able to help you, and we were all really touched by your story,” Brenna Burke from the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, who presented the checks, said.
Now, Edmonds will be able to take her kids to basketball and give them the Christmas they deserve.
“Thank you, thank you,” Edmonds said. “I have been behind on my car payments.”
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