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Globe Santa

A mother seeks help for Christmas without ‘Nana’

Until a year ago, “Nana” was an adored permanent presence in the apartment where her daughter, a young mother from Boston, lived with her 9-year-old daughter. The three of them had a happy life together, sharing laughs and resources and enjoying the way things were.

When Nana passed away just before Christmas last year, that comfortable family life took a bleak turn.

“My daughter and I have a tough time getting through the holidays,” the mother wrote in a letter to Globe Santa, a program of the Boston Globe Foundation. “Christmas was my mom’s favorite holiday, and it’s hard to be happy knowing she’s not with us.”

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To make matters worse, the mother lost her job several months ago, and finding a new one has proved to be far more challenging than she had anticipated.

“It has been extremely difficult for me to find a job with ‘mother’s hours’ that can pay all the bills,” she wrote, adding that she has to “consider a practical everyday consequence” of her work situation: Nana watched over her granddaughter when school was not in session. She also, the mother noted, had the grandmotherly habit of spoiling her grandchild.

“I wish I could give my girl the Christmas my mom always did, but I don’t have the funds to do that,” the mother said in her letter.

“Globe Santa would bring her a smile, even if just for a moment, on a difficult day for us. I thank you in advance for anything you can do for a smart, gorgeous 9-year-old girl.”

Thanks to the generosity of the thousands of individuals, groups, and businesses that contribute year after year to the fund drive, this mother’s wish will come true on Christmas morning.

Please consider donating today. Every dollar is a smile-enhancer for the families of Globe Santa.

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Every year at this time, as yesterday’s Globe Santa story noted, individuals and neighborhoods and businesses come forward with ideas for helping the program. Take Fawn Cronin, for example: She wrote in with this invitation: “Come join me for my signature ‘Butts & Guts’ workout to help raise money for Globe Santa while working your core and butt off! Let’s come together to ‘Sweat for Santa!’ ”

A $20 donation reserves your spot. Bring an exercise mat, water, and anything else you might need post-workout. Reservations at fawnheartcronintraining.com. Space is limited. When: Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Where: Studio 52, Province St., Boston. Suite 307.


Christopher Tangney can be reached at ctangney22@ hotmail.com.