Christmas can be a difficult time of year, and one local Carbon woman is giving back to her community after receiving support during a difficult time nearly a decade ago.
The Carbon Adopt-A
-Family program was created by local volunteer Mary Ellen Proctor to help support local families and individuals in need during the Christmas season, through donations and support from the local community and businesses.
“When I was a young mom struggling, about 10 years ago, my second son was extremely sick and we were in and out of hospital. It was a very tough time and we just couldn’t afford Christmas,” Proctor tells the Mail.
She says the community of Carbon rallied together to provide her and her two young children with presents and food for Christmas dinner.
“It was amazing. I couldn’t believe so many people were willing to help give my boys a Christmas. I made a promise that day that whenever I became financially stable I would pay-it-forward and I will continue to help as long
as there are families in need,” she said.
This year will mark the fifth year Proctor has organized the annual program, and she says in the previous four years the community has helped provide Christmas for seven families and approximately four individuals. While the program relies on donations from the community, Proctor is in charge of collecting and distributing donations from community members and local businesses.
“The community support has been unreal. I love to see everyone join together as we help out a family each Christmas,” she said.
