97.1 ZHT's Secret Santa is back to help those in need thanks to Low Book Sales. For many, the holidays are a tough time of year… emotionally and financially. Do you know someone who could use a little holiday cheer? Whether it's presents for someone’s children or paying a past due bill to turn back on the heat, we'd like to help. We hope to fulfill as many wishes as possible.
If you're also someone who would like to help, let us know how or what you'd like to donate. Together, we can make this a Merry Christmas for all.
Secret Santa Sightings
The Hill family
My name is Tom Fabian and I work for the Park City Fire District. I have a family that could really use your generosity this Christmas season. I understand that you are running a contest or give away to help families in need and I think I have a great candidate here for you. The Paul Hill family has a rare circumstance that could really use some attention. Paul was a fire fighter several years ago with Park City. He was forced to quit and take care of his family after a very unfortunate skateboarding accident that left his wife paralyzed from the chest down. Let me tell you about Paul. Paul is the most caring, generous and honest guy around. Most fire fighters fall into this catagory, but Paul always has a smile on his face and is always willing to listen and help a guy out, giving up his own comforts to do so in fact. Paul is a father of six children, ages from 6 to 17. I have never known Paul to ask for anything. That is the main reason I am writing this e-mail asking for your help. On Nov. 14, 2011, right before Thanksgiving, Paul's beautiful wife, Jackie, suffered several strokes due to complications from the skateboarding accident that occured in 2007 and unfortunately passed away. Paul is left with astronomical medical bills, a Thanksgiving as well as a Christmas without a wife or mom for their children. I know this would burden me and I am not a fraction of the person that Paul is. I am asking for some help for Paul and his family during this holiday season. Paul is a fire fighter now at Lone Peak, he sacrifices a lot for people he doesn't even know and now I think it would be a huge benefit to give back to the Paul Hill family as he has given everything he has for his wonderful family and the citizens of Lone Peak. Thak you for taking time to read this and your consideraton is greatly appreciated.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families. - Tom
On Saturday, December 3, 2011 there was a tragic accident that resulted in the death of 2 people, a mother and father of 4 children. They left them with nothing. I work with the childrens grandfather. Not only does he have the responsibility of the children, he also has two funerals and not much money for christmas. Paul works at a nursing home and shares his big heart with EVERYONE! He is one of the kindest people we know. I would like to see the kindness returned. If there is any donations your organization can provide for this family it would be greatly appreciated. - Amy
I would like to submit my sister, Melanee's, family for consideration. Melanee (25 years), Leo (24 years), London (2 years), and Julian (2 months) have had more trials than one young family deserves. They had their second baby, Julian, Sept. 15th. He was born 6 weeks pre-mature with a heart condition. At just a week old, and weighing a little over 5 lbs., he had to have heart surgery. The first 3 weeks of his life were spent in the hospital with multiple IV's, feeding tube, chest tubes, monitors, a PIC line in his heart, etc...... They practically lived at Primary Children's for weeks and had to make many daily trips back and forth to be with their baby, while also caring for their 2 year old son, London. Thanks to God, the prayers and support of loved ones, and the good people at Primary Children's, Julian was able to come home in October and he is making a rapid recovery. However, the medical bills they accumulated over the past several months would be enough to put anyone in financial ruin. Victims of the current economic crisis, they've already lost their home and cars just last year. This is not the first time tragedy has struck their family. My sisters husband, Leo, lost his only sibling, Neto, just a few years ago at only 30 years old. A few years prior to that, Leo's father had fallen off the roof hanging Christmas lights, and spent months in the hospital recovering from the injuries he sustained from the accident. Sometimes you wonder, how much can one family take? I have been out of work and I have not been able to help them financially like I used to, which is heartbreaking for me and I have an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. It would be really nice if there are others out there that are able to open up their hearts to help a family in need. There are so many families in need this holiday season- what would we do without our Christmas Angels? God Bless and Merry Christmas! - Mary
I am nominating Jennifer Kohl for the secret Santa. Jennifer is my sister. She is a single mother of 2 children (Emily who is almost 7 and Zachary who is 6). Jennifer’s youngest child Zachary was born 3 months early and has cerebral palsy. Last December Zachary had a portion of the left side of his brain removed in order to help stop seizures he was having. The doctors told Jennifer that if the surgery was not performed Zachary would not be alive in 2-3 years as the seizures got worse. I cannot count the number of times per year Zach wound up in the hospital for 2-3 days because of the seizures. They have been blessed that the surgery worked and so far he is seizure free. Because of his disabilities Zach is wheelchair bound. Zachary’s older sister Emily has her own struggles. She is working through an eye muscle issue that makes one of her eyes float while trying to concentrate on an object. She is also dealing with so many changes in her life since her parents divorced 3 years ago. Therapy is slowly working but Emily still struggles.
Because of the surgery last year Jennifer and her family had to spend Christmas at home while Zach recovered. This year, Zachary’s hip joint is failing and on December 6th Zach will have another surgery to fix his hip joint. He will be spending the next 6 weeks in a cast and again for the 2nd year in a row they have wound up having to spend Christmas stuck at home. With all of the issues Zach has Jennifer has to be a stay at home mother. She cannot work as she has to take care of her children’s needs. Needless to say to have to go through this again for a 2nd year in a row is very tough.
If I could wish something for them would be food for their table, clothes for all three of them, and most of all (if possible) a wheelchair van so Zachary can use his motorized wheelchair instead of the push wheelchair. If a van is not possible then other options are possible for fulfilling their wish. A van would also help Jennifer to not have to lift Zach in and out of cars etc. Please consider this very deserving family for help. - Scott
On February 8th 2011 their 2 youngest children ages 7 and 9 were struck by a durango walking home from school. The 9 year old was not expected to live through the night yet they are fighters and survived yet left them with traumatic brain injury. The mother of these two babies has worked 2 jobs most her adulthood to care for her children but since the accident she is unable to work and has to care for her 2 babies now which in return has financially hurt her. It breaks my heart when I find out they have little food, past due notices, and now no vehicle to get her kids to their therapy. I know she will never ask for help so I help when I am able. She says, "My babies are still with me, there is nothing more I could ever ask for." - Jason
We are writing in about our Dear friend Shelly Gilmore and her family. This family has had a huge struggle the last year and a half. Their beautiful daughter, Lily, was born with a heart defect which she had to have open heart surgery for twice shortly after birth. After her second surgery in December of last year she just really struggled and was not healing. In April of last year, right around her first birthday, things physically just worsened for her and she was having problems breathing from her lungs being misshapen when she was born. The family just wanted to spend the most time they could with little Lily and brought her home from the hospital. Lily passed away from respiratory problems at home on May 4, 2011. Shelly and her husband also have two other young daughters who miss their sister terribly. Her husband has just started a new job but things are financially tight for the family right now and she is worried about being able to buy things for Ruby (age 7) and Ava (age 3) this holiday season. I know that they are having a hard time just making ends meet to pay the rent, and it is hard for them to even be able to afford groceries right now let alone Christmas for their girls. I would like so much for them to be able to have a nice Christmas and be able to enjoy the holidays this year. The last few years have been such a struggle for them and it would be so nice to give them at least a little bit of time where they are not worrying about groceries, clothing or toys for their children. Shelly recently made the comment of she would just like to be able to buy paint to paint her girls rooms, and curtains to make her home feel more like a home. Shelly is one of the most genuine and caring persons anyone could ever come across. She will drop everything to help a family member or friend, and would never ask for any type of help or anything in return. I know that times are hard right now for a lot of people, but it would give me such joy to know that Shelly and her husband could have just one less thing to worry about during this difficult time and be able to enjoy the holidays this year as much as they can through the loss they have suffered. This cute little family’s hearts are aching please help them. - Jennifer
On May 31, 2011 my dad was killed in a bad car accident in American Fork. He was only 45. My brother had just gotten home from a two-year LDS mission two days before. My sister was due to have her first baby 9 days from that day. I was due to have my first baby three months from then. It’s hard. My family has to deal with the heartache every day.
But, this submission for Santa’s help isn’t for my family. You see, there was a passenger in the car with my dad. The father of my little sister’s cheer friend was with him. Sean Peart was 44 and he left behind a wife, Tracy, and four kids – Hayley (16), Sydney (11), Kaden (8), and Avery (6).
I know that dealing with the loss of a family member is extremely hard. Dealing with financial struggles on top of that is even more difficult. Sean was self-employed, and although he did well, after his passing, his family wasn’t left with much. They didn’t have life insurance, bankruptcy is an option, and I know that there were some close calls where the family thought they might lose their home.
Tracy is a wonderful mother, but she has been left alone to deal with the passing of her husband and these financial burdens. Christmas will be tight this year for her family. It would be wonderful for them to have a little fun over the holidays and not have to worry about how they’re going to make it this month. - Mandy
I have a longtime friend named Sharlie Patterson. Sharlie has been through many struggles in life, yet she always remains positive. Just when things started looking up for her and her family, on June 30th Sharlie tragically lost the love of her life, her husband Steve in an ATV accident. Sharlie has 2 beautiful daughters, 6 year old McKynlee and 18 month old Aspyn. Since Steve's passing Sharlie's whole life had to change. She had to sell her home that she and Steve started a family in, she had to leave her job to be there for her daughters, and she recently had to give away the family pets because she could no longer care for them and her 2 daughters alone. Sharlie is such an amazing person and I would love it if we could help her this Christmas. Sharlie has been through a lot. I asked her how she does it all and stays so strong, she said," She feels Steve holding her up when she wants to fall." Sharlie is the type of person who does not ask for help when she needs it the most. Please consider her for this wonderful gift. She is someone who will greatly appreciate it. - Carrie
DJ, Brittney and Dave were going hunting. They were in Wyoming by the "sisters" when DJ hit some black ice. He slid through a guard rail and they tumbled down the mountain 200 ft. DJ was thrown from the truck. Dave cracked his sternum and also broke his back in three places. However Dave was still able to help untangle Brittney from the truck and pull her out just before the truck blew up. Brittney's femur was broken with the bone sticking out of her skin. (she also had a damaged artery and lost a lot of blood) All three were life flighted to the U of U Hospital. After a week Dave and Brittney were released but DJ was still in critical condition with severe head injuries and put into and induced coma.
After a week DJ showed some signs of improvement. He was having therapy and responding to some of the things. Things were looking up. That lasted for a few days and then on Saturday the 19th when the therapists sat him up for therapy a blood clot left his leg and traveled to his heart and then his lung. DJ went without oxygen for over an hour. (I think he was being revived) From that point on the family knew they were going to loose their sweet DJ. On Sunday, November 20, 2011 DJ passed away around 12:25.
DJ left behind his wife and three kids. Montana (7), Mylan (5), and Hank (1). DJ & Brittney live right next door to his dad and mom, Dave & Wendy. Wendy is taking care of both Dave and Brittney plus the three kids. As you can imagine their medical bills are pretty expensive. So for Christmas this year it might be a little easier on them if they had some help paying their medical bills, and that is why I am submitting the Rogers family for the Secret Santa - Madison
Today I would like to nominate my friend/co worker Alisha Knox. This is one of the strongest women I know. About 6 years ago, her husband and father of her 3 children, passed away in a terrible accident. She has struggled with trying to put herself through school, taking care of her children, and all of the financial obligations of her husbands passing. When I first met Alisha (I've worked with her for over a year now), she was living in a 1 bedroom apartment with her children, and had also taken on the custody of her cousins 3 very young children. She has a hard time taking care of all of the people in her home. She doesnt get any type of assistance with food or day care to help with the care of the younger babies. When my house sold, and I was in the process of getting into my new home, Alisha offered to let me and my 2 children come and stay with her (that would be 2 adults, and 8 children....holy cow!!!). Alisha is one of the most amazing, strong and in
ternally beautiful women I have ever met. I have watched her come to work for the last 2 winters with shoes that have holes in them because she spends every penny on taking care of all the children in her home. I wish that there were more that I can do to help her but I am a single mother as well (with a beautiful 4 year old boy who is a 2x cancer survivor (this will be his first Christmas home away from the hospital). When I was listening to your program this morning, I cried. I told her that I wanted to nominate her, and she said "baby, let them help someone who really needs it." This woman needs it. She is amazing, and I truly believe that she would be forever grateful. - Adriann
This past year has been a roller coaster for my three nieces Kamie 7, Daeli 6, and Nicole 2. On January 8th 2011 they lost their Dad to health problems just before his 26th birthday. Kamie was the one who found him before their Mom, my sister, got home from work. For a 7 year old I can only imagine what that is like finding your Dad laying in bed and telling her Mom he was purple. From the moment I got the call from my sister I was worried for them all. She was having to go through this by herself in Texas. My parents drove down there on borrowed money within 24 hours of hearing the devastating news. Shortly after all this happened I began to see my sisters life unravel. By July my parents recieved a call from my sister that she needed to have the girls come to Utah. My parents again within 24 hours, again on borrowed money, drove to Texas to get the girls. My parents have raised 9 children into adulthood with their youngest being a senior in high school this year.
They are at a point where having an empty nest was in sight. Now, because of the love they have for their granchildren they are starting all over again from the very beginning, with potty training too. They have spent the last six months caring for the girls on what little money they make and still not being able to make ends meet without more borrowed money. My wish is that my parents do not have to stress over if they will be able to give christmas to the girls. They still have my sister who is a senior at home to care for as well as my sister who just left for a mission to support. My parents have always put us first and gone without many times for us to have. If it is possible I would would like for all the girls and my parents to end the year with some cheer, love, and laughter when it started out with such sorrow and devistation. - Hollie
I have a very dear friend Brooke Buchanan had her baby about 6 weeks ago. There have been some major complications and he has been at Primary Children's since he's been born. He had to be life-flighted
and was in a coma. He's getting a g-tube next week and they are not sure if they will be able to bring him home or what his future holds. They have another little boy Bridger and it would be amazing, if you guys could them any way you can with giving Christmas to their family in any little way. They are a family who is always helping others and never ask for help. I would love to surprise them and help them in their time of need. I know that you have alot of people in need and anything that you could do to help me make their Christmas brighter would be greatly appreciated.. I wish I could do it on my own, but my husband just got a job after 2 1/2 years and I just can't afford to do it on my own. I want them to have som joy this holiday season thru all the struggles and trials they are going thru. and if we can lift a little load off of them for a bit, that would be great.Thanks so much for all you do for the community. You guys are great!! and I understand if you can't help d
ue to alot of families in need this year. I just appreciate your generosity and all you do to help others.. Happy holidays to you all! Thanks again - Candi
I am submitting for my little sister. She is a single parent with the most wonderful little 4 year old boy. Jaiden's dad died tragically a couple months ago. Since then my sister has been struggling financially and emotionally. Jaiden helps brighten my sisters day everyday and I would like to see him be rewarded because he is so brave and strong. I know that my sister would appreciate it so much since she can't really afford to get him Christmas presents. Please consider helping this little family. Thank you!!! - Denise
I am submitting my cousin Mandy. She is such a wonderful person and has been through so much this year. She has an 8 month old baby that was born with his skull fused together in 2 places. He had his first surgery in September and right before that her husband lost his job which was where they were insured through. Luckily they received Medicaid. Since then, they found a blood clot in his brain and had to have another surgery a couple weeks ago to get the fluid off his brain and fix the back of his skull. She also has a 2 and a 3 year old. She has been up at primary children's these last couple of weeks while he recovers. Since she's been up there she has found out that her mom has kidney cancer. I think that she deserves a break. And helping them with Christmas would help tremendously. - Nikki
Two years ago my family was blessed with Secret Santa from 97.1ZHT and its been on our minds to pay it forward one day. My Husband and I have been searching for a family in need of our help, but have never been able to do it financially.
But this past summer we met a wonderful family who has a little girl that has a heart disease and will one day require a heart transplant. This little girls Dad is the most positive generous person I have ever met. He currently works at the 7-11 around the corner from us and is ALWAYS smiling and happy to greet his customers. The Mom is not able to work due to the 24/7 needs of their daughter. But what they are hiding on the inside is heart breaking. They have never had a Christmas tree until we bought them one last week. They can't provide beds for their two little girls ages 2 and 3. They have nothing, not even clothes. If it wasn't for food stamps they wouldn't even have food. They recently moved into a much nicer apartment, but live pay check to pay check to get by. Their daughter with the heart condition requires oxygen, daily meds and of course hospital visits. I don't know any family more deserving than this one, I want them to know what its like to wake up Christmas morning with presents under their tree and a nice family meal. My Husband and I have provided the girls with some clothes and new jackets, but we just can't give them everything they need. I am willing to help in any way I can. Please consider them for Secret Santa as we would love to PAY IT FORWARD to a very deserving family. Thanks! Sierra
