Gail Kelly has been taking care of people for nearly all of her life, working in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, raising a granddaughter and caring for her brother and husband during their battles with cancer.
Now, she's got two very important women under her watch: her 84-year-old mom and a 94-year-old great aunt.
It's a full-time job, and not an easy one. Her mom, Cora Scott, is disabled after a string of surgeries. Her great aunt, Alice Garvin, struggles with dementia.
Kelly is 60 years old, and taking on the burdens of so many have caused her to have a heart attack and suffer from depression. Adding to the pressure is the financial toll from not being able to work a paying job because of all of the needs at home.
But this Christmas, Scott and Garvin will receive help from the Salvation Army Christmas program, which matches children and seniors in need with anonymous donors who buy the gifts.
Scott and Garvin are two of approximately 1,547 senior citizens who will receive gifts this Christmas through the "silver bells" program. Some 6,542 children will receive toys and clothes through the program.
In cases where donors don't step up, Charlotte Observer readers cover the expense by giving to the Empty Stocking Fund. Money raised by last year's Empty Stocking Fund allowed the Salvation Army to purchase 11,541 toys and 590 gifts for low-income seniors, in addition to 925 gift cards.
IT MAKES THEM HAPPY
"It's just a blessing for me to be able to go (to the Salvation Army) and get gifts for them," Kelly said. "They're so happy to see something under the tree."
Kelly is hoping for pant suits for her mom and great aunt to wear to Sunday church services, and maybe some fruit, candies or cookies.
Garvin is confused at times, but loves folding laundry, ironing and tidying up the one-story home they share near Johnson C. Smith University.
Scott has had several surgeries on her back, knees, hands and lung in recent years, but she's able to get to church several Sundays a month with her sister and daughter.
Kelly says they don't have big plans for Christmas. She's grateful for the donors who will provide a few gifts to put under the tree to brighten the day for her mom and aunt.
"When they open their presents and see little things that they like, clothes and other stuff, they get so happy," Kelly says. "And if they're happy, I'm happy."
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HOW TO DONATE
To donate to the Empty Stocking Fund online: EmptyStockingFundCLT.org.
To donate by mail, send checks to: The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, P.O. Box 31128, Charlotte, NC 28231. Make checks payable to The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte and write "Empty Stocking Fund" in the memo line.
Questions concerning your donation? Call 704-716-2769.
