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As her sister recovers, woman takes on care of three more children

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Editor's note: The Time is Now to Help was founded by a local businessman who knew extreme poverty as a child. With the help of donations from the community, The Time is Now is able to help local residents in need.

Dear W.C.,

I currently am caring for my sister's three children after she was involved in a serious auto accident.

She was hit by an uninsured driver and suffered injuries that will require a long period of recuperation.

She is a single mother and was struggling to make ends meet before this happened. I also am a single mom and have two children of my own, so this has really put a large strain on my finances as well.

I have been unable to purchase diapers for my sister's infant. I am struggling to put food on the table for the children, ages 3 through 9.

The car I use to get to my job also is in very bad shape. It has been so hard to keep up with everything. You are my last hope.

A sister trying to help

Dear readers,

This was a very difficult situation. The sister is caring for five children on her own, worrying about her finances, working at her job and visiting her sister in the hospital in Milwaukee.

The woman spoke openly when I visited her at her apartment. Her sister was struck by an uninsured driver and had no health insurance of her own. She nearly died.

The sister was in the hospital for a very long time and has months of rehabilitation yet ahead of her.

Their elderly mother cares for the children while the letter writer works several days a week to try and pay the bills.

The two sisters are very close and she loves the children as her own.

I was introduced to all the children who all were very polite. I asked them about school, and the older children told me how much they enjoyed school.

Then, the youngest school age child said, "I feel better when I go to school." I could see the aunt had tears in her eyes. I asked him why he felt better at school and he answered, "Because at school they feed us."

I looked around the kitchen and immediately noticed there was very little food. She explained preventing them from becoming homeless was her No. 1 priority, so rent had to come before food.

Once again I find the hunger in our great country of over 50 million Americans, a big fault of the government.

I asked the woman to go food shopping with me and bring the kids. She looked shocked and surprised.

When I asked her again she began to cry. She went to get the children ready and when I saw the five children waiting by the door to go I noticed their feet.

They all had on very old worn shoes. The woman noticed what I was looking at and said, "I'm sorry. The kids keep asking for new shoes but I cannot afford them." I thought of when I was young and the only one pair of shoes I owned had holes in them.

When everyone was loaded in the car, I told them we had one stop to make before food shopping. That stop was to get new shoes for everyone.

The previously subdued children turned into children filled with excitement. They were even happier when we brought home several bags of healthy food.

They thanked me over and over for their shoes and food. What lovely appreciative children they are. We need to protect and love our gifts from God, all of our children.

When we returned, we went over her expenses and budget. I offered some advice for some other aid she could apply for. She did not know about several programs where she could receive help.

This will help her in the future to keep the children fed.

We brought her rent up to date and paid a month ahead to give her a head start on her budget.

We also paid their utilities that were overdue. We looked at her old car, and I could easily see there were several repairs needed.

These repairs were completed for her and she can now drive safely. Once again, together, we helped our fellow creations, giving them help and hope.

Thank you for your Caring and Sharing, WC.

How you can help: Please consider a donation. Every dollar you donate will be matched by another, doubling your donation by the Richard Driehaus Matching Grant. Make checks payable to The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 70, Pell Lake, WI 53157. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization licensed in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois. You will receive a tax deductible, itemized thank you receipt showing exactly what every penny of your donation provided for the poverty stricken.

Thank you to: Paper Dolls, Martin O'Brien, Colleene Morrell, Warren and Sharon Hatch, George and Penelope Slouka, Arlene Clausen, Robert Dooley, Paul Lewis, Stanley Blum, Richard and Rose Honeyager, Steve and Betty Thornton, Kerry Dettmann, John Race, Donald and Gladys Keith, Rudolph and Donna Zwolfer, Michael Glass, Margarie Egger and W.C. Family Resource Center/Food Pantry volunteers.

Gage Lake Geneva Cruise Line helps: Thursday evening Cocktail Cruise to benefit The Time Is Now to Help. When calling for reservations you need to mention code: TIN for Time Is Now and we will receive $10 of each ticket sale. Call (262) 248-6206.