SEATTLE — For families struggling during the holidays, something as simple as a donated toy can make all the difference.
More than a decade ago, Emma Hudgins was a single mother facing a serious health battle. A tumor on her spine meant surgery, time away from work and a difficult road to recovery.
With two young children at home, Hudgins said even Christmas felt overwhelming.
“A lot of depression,” Hudgins said. “You know, just trying to get creative and come up with ways my kids didn’t feel it. Obviously Christmas isn’t about the gifts, but kids feel it when they don’t have anything under the tree.”
Hudgins said that asking for help was difficult at first because she felt there was a stigma surrounding it.
“It was just kind of looked down on, taboo, like you’re getting a handout. You should just work for what you need,” Hudgins said.
She said her mother ultimately encouraged her to put those feelings aside for the sake of her children.
The following Christmas, Hudgins turned to The Salvation Army for help. She said receiving donated toys for her children lifted some of the weight off her shoulders during an already difficult time.
“It warmed my heart,” Hudgins said. “It’s stressful even now with how things are. It’s stressful figuring out what are we going to get our kids for Christmas, and just knowing that little piece is taken off my plate made a big difference.”
Her youngest daughter, Lexi Oleson, was just 1 year old at the time. Now 16, she remembers the joy associated with receiving gifts during the holidays.
“It was just amazing being able to open toys in pajamas and be able to, like, run around and have sleepovers in those pajamas for, like, years,” Oleson said.
Now Hudgins is taking her family’s experience and turning it into an opportunity to give back, encouraging others to help families who may be going through difficult circumstances this holiday season.
Lt. Christopher Rodriguera with The Salvation Army said people may not realize what their neighbors are facing.
“It is a great opportunity to help your neighbors in need,” Rodriguera said. “When you look around, you have no idea what people are going through, and just a gift, big or small, can make an impact on someone’s life, and also change their lives for the better.”
How you can help
The KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive is collecting new, unwrapped toys to help make Christmas brighter for local children and families. The Salvation Army says the effort is intended to bring holiday joy to neighbors in need across the Pacific Northwest.
Toy donations are especially needed for babies, children ages 9 to 13, and pre-teens and teens. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 7.
You can learn more or donate through The Salvation Army’s KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive page.
Questions about the toy drive can also be sent to toydrive@kiro7.com.
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