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ARLINGTON — The fireplace in Maribel’s modest two-bedroom apartment reminds her of Christmas year-round.
When the family moved in this year, Maribel’s 5-year-old son jumped with joy, pointed to the fireplace and said: "Santa is coming here! Santa is coming here!"Maribel, 31, could only smile because she couldn’t find the words to tell him that Santa will likely pass this chimney. Even if she had the right words, her children couldn’t fully understand, she said. Both her son and 10-year-old daughter are autistic."It’s a disability for life," she said. But she wants them to become independent and strong adults with the proper education.Maribel is among the hundreds of people who have already applied this year for help through the Goodfellow Fund, the Star-Telegram’s annual holiday charity for needy families. The 2009 goal of the Goodfellows program, run annually by the newspaper employees since 1912, is to distribute 18,000 $50 gift cards that can be redeemed for clothes and shoes from J.C. Penney.The math is simple but daunting: To pay for that, the fund needs to raise $900,000.Applications have already flooded in, and program directors are urging eligible people to apply as soon as possible. Applications are available at area libraries and community centers. People who apply will be invited to schedule an interview where eligibility will be confirmed and gift cards distributed.Barely getting byAfter years of abuse, Maribel said, she finally left her husband. She and the children now rely on Social Security disability checks and money she earns from selling tamales.A hairstylist in her native Mexico, Maribel wants a job that will allow her to balance the needs of her son and daughter. When school started, Maribel didn’t have enough money to buy her children clothes, and her son really wanted a new backpack — one with a Spider-Man theme. Maribel’s apartment furniture includes some that she found when other people moved. She cleaned and repaired it. She doesn’t run the air conditioner, and a four-bulb light fixture in the bathroom has one bulb.Maribel washes the family’s clothing by hand and dries it on the balcony. One day, she and the children had no money for food and went to bed hungry at 6 p.m. She told the children that in the morning, there would be food at school.On Halloween, tamale sales generated $40 that she used part of to buy costumes for the children. For their Christmas, she hopes to find a free holiday gathering that will include a visit from Santa."When I see them happy, I am filled with life," she said.
To apply Applications are available at all Fort Worth libraries and community centers and at libraries in surrounding communities. They are also available at goodfellowfund.com. To contribute Contributions may be mailed to the Goodfellow Fund, Box 1870, Fort Worth, TX 76101. Or use a credit card at our secure online site, goodfellowfund.com. Contributors’ names will be published in coming weeks as space is available.
DIANE SMITH, 817-390-7675
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