ARLINGTON -- With four children and no husband, job or car, Anna has her hands full.
But it doesn't stop her from providing a tidy home and keeping a bright outlook.Still, all help is appreciated. The Christmas Store at Mission Arlington was one stop. She was also grateful this year to receive assistance from the Goodfellow Fund, a charity that has helped families in need during the holiday season for 100 years.Her two boys and two girls are 12, 10, 8 and 6. The father of the three oldest died of cancer about two years ago. The father of the youngest is not in her life, but Hernandez has filed for child support."I don't have a job at the moment, not because I haven't found one but because I don't have a vehicle to have reliable transportation," she wrote in a letter to the Goodfellow Fund.She walks everywhere within range of the family's town home near Vandergriff Park. She is a member of Mount Olive Second Chance Church, where she participates in the choir and other fellowship activities."I strive to accomplish every day," she said as her children sat happily on the couch and listened.Some of them were wearing clothes purchased with Goodfellows gift cards.That will help make this Christmas the best the family has had in about four years, she said."I really appreciate that because it's really hard to feed and clothe and provide for the children," she said of Goodfellows. "I truly appreciate it."Patrick M. Walker,817-983-8080Twitter: @patrickmwalker1
Be a Goodfellow, too
It's the 100th anniversary of the Goodfellow Fund, the Star-Telegram's holiday program that provides practical gifts for schoolchildren. Join this tradition by sending a contribution to Goodfellows, Box 1870, Fort Worth, TX 76101. Or go online to goodfellowfund.com and make a secure credit-card donation. We'll acknowledge your gift in the newspaper unless you ask to remain anonymous.
List of contributors 3B
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
