Janet's Story
Being a parent is never easy, but asking for help can be even harder.
When Janet was in her twenties, she found herself as a single mother, struggling to make ends meet while trying to create a magical Christmas for her two young sons, who were just six and ten years old at the time. Balancing her responsibilities felt like treading water, barely staying afloat while trying to guide her children to safety. Like every parent, Janet wanted to give her kids the world, but she also had to ensure their basic needs were met.
“It’s tough,” Janet reflected. “No parent wants to choose between disappointing their kids and putting food on the table. Both are so important.”
Seeing how the weight of the holidays was affecting Janet, her caseworker signed her up for the Angel Tree program. For Janet, that Christmas became unforgettable—not just because of the generosity she and her boys received, but because of the freedom she felt in accepting help.
Growing up, Janet’s grandmother had been a shining example of giving. She had always been the one to provide, feed, and help anyone in need. For Janet, being on the receiving end of such generosity was humbling. But that holiday season taught her the profound power of blessings.
She remembers shopping for warm coats and seeing the joy on her boys’ faces as they opened their gifts. One received a robot, and the other, a football—a gift that sparked a love for sports that carried him through high school. Janet herself received a beautiful military-green plaid coat with a satin lining. It was warm, luxurious, and filled with love. To this day, that coat remains in the family, and Janet still wears it, though she often has to retrieve it from her brother’s wardrobe!
Years later, Janet returned to the Angel Tree program—not as a recipient, but as a volunteer. With her sons now grown, at 33 and 37, Janet wanted to give back to the program that had brought her hope during such a difficult time.
“It feels good to be here,” she shared. “I’ve been volunteering for a few years now, and it’s wonderful to see familiar faces among the other volunteers. Just the other day, I helped a woman with seven kids. She was so joyful and loved her coat—we talked about it the whole time we were in line. It reminded me of my own coat and how much it meant to me.”
For Janet, “doing the most good” means continuing the legacy her grandmother instilled in her: always helping others. Through her volunteer work, Janet honors her grandmother’s memory and shares the love she once received.
“I know this journey well,” Janet said with a smile. “And I’m so thankful for it. Don’t hesitate to be a blessing, or to ask for one. Just reach out, and let God respond.”
