A gently used recliner, an electric hospital bed, a night at the Driskill Hotel and a tour of the Austin FC stadium with the new head coach.
Those are just some of the memorable Christmas gifts Austin American-Statesman readers made happen for the 12 Season for Caring featured families this year.
For Ana Laura Martínez Aranda, the recliner in her living room that was carried in by St. Martin's Lutheran Church's Move-In Ministry has meant that her mother, Olga Aranda Guzmán, has been able to leave the hospital bed and join the family in comfort in the home Season for Caring funds made possible. Aranda has end stage renal failure and is receiving care from Hospice Austin.
The hospital bed given by a World War II veteran's family to Jazmin Campbell, a 21-year-old with an autoimmune disease that has taken her from cheerleading to a wheelchair, has meant a restful sleep for her as well as an easier time caring for her by her grandmother, Renee Smith, and the team at Austin Palliative Care.
For Gina Lopez's family, a stay at the Driskill Hotel that included lighting the Christmas tree meant that for one night the family wasn't focusing on the pancreatic cancer Lopez had been diagnosed with in May. They were just having fun.
And a Q2 Stadium tour and meet-and-greet with Austin FC coach Nico Estévez for the Amador Rodriguez family meant that soccer fanatics Itan, 16, and Antonio, 9, got to see inside the locker room, touch the field and not worry about Antonio's epilepsy.
Each year, the Statesman shares with the community the stories of 12 of our neighbors who have extraordinary challenges and asks you to help these families as well as hundreds of others served by local nonprofits.
The money raised helps with basic needs throughout the year, but often the community helps fulfill special items on families' wish lists.
This Christmas Day is the last day the Sheth family is matching donations up to $500,000 -- making it an ideal day to write the check or visit the Season for Caring link online.
It's also an ideal day to think about how you could make a meaningful item on a family's wish list happen.
Nichole Babbitt: This single mom has post-traumatic stress disorder after finding her mother dead as a teenager. She is rebuilding her life after being homeless and getting sober. Her biggest need is a gently used car, followed by living room furniture and swimming lessons for her daughters. Foundation for the Homeless, 512-453-6570, foundationhomeless.org.
Jazmin Campbell: Her biggest needs are repairs to her van and a wheelchair lift for it, a manual APEX wheelchair, nursing care, cleaning service, and equine and aqua therapy. Austin Palliative Care, 512-397-3360, option 3, austinpalliativecare.org.
Thamairis Canales Yanez: This mother from Venezuela has breast cancer that has gone to her brain. She wants to create stability for her daughter, Ivanna, who is 14. Her biggest needs are a computer, tuition to become an aesthetician and a down payment for a mobile home. Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-524-2560, bcrc.org.
William Daugherty: The Del Valle middle school teacher and former cheerleading coach has been missing a lot of work during his treatment for lymphoma. His car was repossessed during his cancer treatments, and for months he had to use Uber to get to work. Along with a gently used car, he needs a cleaning service and gift cards for prepared meals. Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, 512-392-1161, communityaction.com.
Kathia Gomez: This mom of three boys continues to deal with the trauma of raising herself after her mother was deported when she was 12. She wants better for her boys. She needs a gently used car, tuition to go to nursing school, soccer fees and small kitchen appliances. SAFE, 512-844-1392, safeaustin.org.
Ed and Victoria Hammill: The Pflugerville couple are both musicians, and she is a music teacher. After a car crash, he has had multiple surgeries and is unable to work. She has become his caregiver. They need a bigger apartment for her to teach music from home, a power-lift chair, fall-prevention assistive devices and a room divider to separate her teaching space from home space. Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, 512-541-4226, myhaam.org.
Ana Laura Martínez Aranda and Olga Aranda Guzmán: They need many things for their new home, including living room furniture, bedding, dishes, silverware and cups, and a washer and dryer. They also need car repairs. Hospice Austin, 512-342-4726, hospiceaustin.org.
Mir Shamsi: After working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this father and his family left Afghanistan when the U.S. withdrew its forces in 2021. Now he has brain cancer and a new baby, and he is unable to work. The family needs everything for a new baby, rent assistance, laptops and a printer for school. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org.
Carlos Vallejo Jr.: This native Austinite lost his right arm and leg in a boating accident. He needs a new mobility scooter, better-fitting prosthetic devices, caregiver services, cleaning services and a more accessible vehicle. Meals on Wheels Central Texas, 512-476-6325, mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org
The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring.
All donations are being matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family through Christmas Day. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 2B and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to "Statesman Season for Caring."
Use the form below or click here: https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring