100 Neediest Cases 89-90: String of bad fortune stings woman

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100 Neediest Cases 89-90: String of bad fortune stings woman
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100 Neediest Cases

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100 Neediest Cases

For generations, the 100 Neediest Cases campaign has helped thousands of disadvantaged families during the holidays. The tradition dates to 1922, when civic leaders formed the Christmas Bureau.

To adopt a case or donate, call 314-421-6060 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays, visit www.100neediestcases.org, or mail a check to P.O. Box 955925, St. Louis, Mo. 63195.

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CASE 89

Ms. S, 62, has given of her wonderful singing talent all her life at church and elsewhere, but a recent run of undeserved bad fortune has her singing the blues. When her rented house went into foreclosure, she was evicted; she went to live with a woman she thought was a friend — but the "friend" stole everything but the clothes Ms. S was wearing and some musical equipment. For a while, she lived in a state park and slept at rest stops. Ms. S is on a limited fixed income, and although a local food pantry has helped her to stay fed, she needs help to pay for clothing, food, furniture and medical treatment. Your gift could help her life hit a high note.

CASE 90

A serious thyroid condition, blindness in one eye and serious vision problems in the other eye have left Mr. M, 49, in dire straits. His wife died in a tragic accident years ago, leaving Mr. M as a single dad of a 12-year-old girl. With income of just $674 and rent of $550, they are struggling to get by. Mr. M has a $200 gas bill and a $300 electric bill with a disconnection notice. They could use help in the form of food, clothing, shoes, coats, household items, bedding and towels. And Mr. M's daughter, who sleeps in a sleeping bag, could use a bed.

Profiles by Sarah Bryan Miller and Jean Buchanan of the Post-Dispatch.

Copyright 2012 stltoday.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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To adopt a case or donate

  • Call 314-421-6060 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays
  • CLICK HERE to donate
  • Mail a check to P.O. Box 955925, St. Louis, Mo. 63195

 

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A TRADITION • For generations, the 100 Neediest Cases campaign has helped thousands of disadvantaged families during the holidays. The tradition dates to 1922, when civic leaders formed the Christmas Bureau.

The Post-Dispatch has partnered with the program for more than five decades, renaming the campaign 100 Neediest Cases in 1954. Annual donations to the campaign have swollen from $400 in 1922 to $1.4 million last year.

HOW IT WORKS • More than 70 social service agencies, working through the United Way, identify thousands of needy families.

This year, 13,000 cases were selected based on factors such as poverty, medical problems and other hardships. Volunteers then select 100 cases to be profiled in the newspaper. The profiles help raise awareness and encourage donations for the thousands of other needy families.

TWO WAYS TO GIVE

ADOPT A CASE • Donors can adopt one of the 100 families profiled both in print and at STLtoday.com/neediest. Thousands of other cases can also be adopted.

The United Way supplies donors with a complete list of a family's needs, along with all instructions needed to give. Donors are asked to meet at least one of the stated needs and provide at least one present for each child. Everything goes directly to the family, through a social worker. Last year, 1,200 cases were adopted.

DONATE • The 100 Neediest Cases general fund is used to help the 13,000 total cases identified for the program. Every family will receive something, and every dollar will go directly to a needy family. Or you may request that your contribution be considered to be applied to a particular 100 Neediest case.

TO ADOPT A CASE OR DONATE • Call 314-421-6060 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays, or visit 100neediestcases.org, or mail a check to P.O. Box 955925, St. Louis, Mo. 63195.

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