We had a great time launching this contest via social media (Twitter and our Face Book Fan Page), we have been schooled by our favorite social media guru. We came up with some fun ways to use a hash tag search through Twitter, and had entries from all over the world. Yeah, social media!
Honestly, we went into this thinking we would hear some funny or cute stories, and we did. We even had a good laugh when several family members entered with some funny answers...:)
One story stuck out. Actually, knocked us off our feet. Our winner was so gracious to allow us to share her story and an even better update. Please read along, marvel at the beautiful spirit that our winner and her family have and know anything is possible with the right attitude.
I am grateful for being able to help someone other than myself, even when I too needed help. My family (husband and two daughters ages 1 & 3) were recently displaced from our home. We lost our home due to a badly executed foreclosure back in April 2009. We had no where to live, no one to turn to, and no back up plan. My cousin (my angel) stepped in and opened his apartment to my family. My family moved into his apartment, where my family of four occupied one bedroom, forcing us all to sleep in one bed. We placed our life's collections into storage and threw away what ever we could not carry, including our children's bed and crib. Approximately 6 months after the foreclosure, we saved up enough money to move into a two bedroom apartment next door to my cousin.Approximately, nine days after we moved into our apartment, my sister was battered by her husband of 15 years. He attempted to take my sister's life while her 5 children stayed fearfully on the opposite end of the house praying for their mother's survival. My sister manage to flee for her life leaving her children behind. My sister lived in Sa'naa Yemen for 5 years with her husband and 5 children, so it was no easy task trying to get her to the United States. My family gained the assistance of the U.S. Embassy. Thankfully, my sister and her five children now reside with my husband and my two children. Needless to say, we're one big happy family. It's a little tight, food goes quickly, but we're grateful to have one another, and this definitely what I am thankful for. Thank you for allowing me to share my story, and thankfully it has a happy ending.
And an update:
My sister has enrolled all of my nieces and nephews in school last week. I purchased clothes from the Other Mother Store in Maplewood, NJ on Friday to assist her with getting the children ready for school. As of yesterday, the children began their first day at school!!If you would like to donate any used clothes or household items to our winner, please let us know.
My sister was approved for Public housing on Monday, and also received the keys to her apartment on Tuesday!! The State has assisted her with temporary rental assistance and with furniture vouchers on Tuesday as well, and we went looking furniture on Tuesday evening! Public Service turned her gas and electric on last night!! We will probably try to have her moved in by this weekend. Although her place will be quite empty; I have already been receiving clothing donations from many of my friends! We are truly blessed!!!
Thank you !
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