Domestic Violence Sends Young Fall River Family Running

This is a tough one to write about. Today's Holiday Wish Family centers on a young Fall River family displaced by domestic violence.

Back in October, Sarah had been living in a Fall River apartment with her two young daughters, ages 10 and 3. She says the domestic violence she experienced in that apartment was a slow burn that eventually reached a boiling point one night. Sarah threw what she could into a duffle bag, grabbed the kids, and ran for her life. Now, we're hoping to get this family back on track on Holiday Wish Week with the United Way of Greater New Bedford.

Unable to find room at any emergency shelters, Sarah and her daughters lived in her car this past fall. When the weather turned colder, a friend in Onset temporarily took the family in until they could find a more permanent solution.

Want to help Sarah and her girls? Donate any amount by texting "WISHES24" to 26989. Every penny goes directly to Sarah and her daughters.

Sarah has been driving her girls to school each day from Onset to Fall River in an effort to maintain some normalcy and stability in their lives. Keeping the kids in the Fall River schools has provided routine for the girls but has also cost a significant amount in gas each week.

Since that night, Sarah has been physically unable to work due to an injury to her foot. She is now at risk of having her car repossessed. "Losing our car would truly be detrimental to us," Sarah said.

The good news is that Sarah is just a few days away from signing a new lease in Fall River. The bad news is that when she moves in, she and the girls will have nothing. They don’t have beds, sheets, blankets, towels, pots, or pans. They are starting from scratch.

If you are interested in buying clothes or shoes for the children the 10 year old's sizes are 12/14 for clothing and she wears a size 4 shoe. The 3 year old wears a 5T and a size 9 kids size shoe.

If you are able to give to this Holiday Wish family, please call Michael and Gazelle at (508) 994-1071, or text "WISHES24" to 26989.