Dear readers, I called this overwhelmed young mother as soon as I opened her letter. I could feel her desperation pouring off the pages. She immediately broke down in tears when she realized who was calling her.

She has found herself at a young age not only caring for a child, but also for her handicapped brother and dying mother. She did not know where to go for help. When I went to see them, she explained more. Her mother told her about The Time Is Now to Help, but never could write the letter herself.

Her mother had never applied for other services that were available to her, because she always said she could do it all herself. That worked for her until she became ill herself.

Now she does not even have the energy to feed herself. She had been sick for a long time before she went to see a doctor. By then, it was too late. She opted for no treatment and only has a short time left.

She weakly told me she did not want to burden her daughter with her illness. She said she knows her daughter worked hard to raise her child herself. She said she regrets all the discouraging words she said to her and wishes she could have back all the years they spent apart. The mother was so weak she could no longer speak.

I watched as her daughter lovingly consoled her and told her she understood. Her life had been filled with hard daily work caring for her home and handicapped child, followed by the death of her husband, making the best of living on the edge of poverty at all times. Her golden years were spent in fear and hunger in our great United States.

I called one of our volunteers, and they brought them several bags of fresh food. I picked up some hot meals. The daughter and I then sat down and went over their finances. They really needed help bringing their utilities and rent payments up to date.

The mother had made several changes to the house herself years ago that made the home much easier for her brother to navigate. She plans on continuing to care for her brother.

We talked about her home health care options, and I referred her to other resources. She is smart and is learning where to turn to for the assistance they need. She has hardly had time to even think about her needs, both emotionally and financially. She said she is determined to find work to support her family, and I believe she will.

Thanks to all of your caring and sharing, we were able to help ease the pain and suffering of several people.

Health and happiness, God bless everyone, W.C.

A very special thank you: Paper Dolls, Ron and Kerrie Vyskocil, James and Janet Happ, Martin O’Brien, Jack and Barb Rowe, Dan and Maureen Winkler, Michael Glass, Bemis Foundation, Margarie Egger, Joseph and Lois Haas, Steve and Margaret Helen Buchanan, John and Sally Dicmas, Lorene Schlie, Leroy Vogt, Drescher Family Charitable Foundation, W.C. Family Resource Center/Food Pantry volunteers, Michael and Sue Borden, Dick and Jean Honeyager, Bill and Lois McEssy, all of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes, and the businesses that allow our donation boxes.

Anyone who would like a Time Is Now donation box at your business, please call (262)249-7000.

Memorials: Phyllis Weeden and friends in memory of Ken Weeden; Tom and Susan Stelling in memory of Jeff and Julie Partridge’s wedding anniversary.