CASE 50

D has seen more doctors in her eight years than most people see in their whole lives. The little girl was born with cyanotic heart disease, a congenital heart defect that means she struggles to get enough oxygen to her body because she was born with just one ventricle. D has endured five open heart operations and numerous other heart and lung procedures and will likely need a heart transplant. Her twin sisters are 17-year-old high school seniors who work part-time jobs to help support the family and plan to go to college next year. Single mom K, 36, does not have a car and relies on friends and public transportation to get to D's numerous medical appointments. K would appreciate the chance to give her children presents and clothes for Christmas.

CASE 51

Ms. B says she has had some angels in her life, like the manager of a St. Louis County hotel who recently allowed her to stay in a room in exchange for housekeeping services. But Ms. B has had more bad luck than good. Two years ago, her house burned down. What possessions did survive the fire were lost when Ms. B could not afford to pay the storage company back storage fees. She did sock away enough money from her hotel job to rent a home for her and her 11-year old daughter, but not enough to buy furniture or pay the utilities. Ms. B needs money to turn on the gas and buy her daughter a bicycle, the only present on her wish list for the past two years.

CASE 52

Mr. Y., 74, moved here from Uzbekistan two years ago. Since then, his wife died in Uzbekistan and he was unable to attend her funeral. He doesn't have a car and gets around on a bike, which he fell from and broke his wrist. Just when his wrist healed, he was hit by a car while trying to catch the bus and spent three months in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. During those three months, Mr. Y's landlord threw him out of his apartment and placed all his belongings on the curb. Mr. Y's only income is from disability benefits. He asks for gift certificates to buy winter clothing and furniture, including a sofa and microwave. He also would like a computer so he can stay in touch with relatives.

Profiles by Blythe Bernhard, Diane Toroian Keaggy and Leah Thorsen, of the Post-Dispatch.