By the Salina Journal

Factory work provided Carol with a steady paycheck. It was enough for her to buy a house. Although the mortgage claimed more than half her income, she was able to make it on a tight budget and provide a home for her children.

"If I saw their shoes or clothes were getting small, I'd go out and buy them (new ones)," Carol said.

But that was before she became a victim of the local economy and was laid off.

Compounding her troubles were serious health issues, which caused her to miss work.

"This year was really, really bad," she said. "Everything went wrong."

Carol (case number 0006), whose name has been changed for this story, is among individuals and families the Salina Christmas Fund hopes to help this holiday season. The fund, in its 26th year, provides gifts of food, clothing and other assistance to local needy families throughout the year.

"I didn't have money to pay for anything," she said.

She is among the legion of single mothers who receive no child support.

As a result of her financial situation, her lender has threatened foreclosure; however, she has been granted a reprieve and has until the first of the year to resume payments.

Her financial downturn is affecting her children, who hear cruel playground comments about the condition of their clothes.

Carol's health was so bad and her income so low that she received Medicaid, but now that she is healthier, she no longer qualifies.

Now, like so many other poor, she has no medical benefits, although her children have medical cards.

"I'm really trying to look for work," she said. "I want to work. It's not good for me to get back into factory work, with all the heavy lifting, but there is no other option. You do what you gotta do."

She's hopeful she can find a job before January so she can at least make a mortgage payment.

"I've worked too hard for my house, my kids, just to lose it," she said.

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Reader says....
My piece of advice to this lady would be "Let the house go"! No one, and I mean NO ONE should try to own a house that requires half of their monthly income, when they're working, to make the mortgage payment. Just let it go. I'm 63, I worked hard all my life and spent many, many years as a single parent (due to divorce) and received not one cent of child support ever. We lived in government subsidized, low income housing and it was just fine. I could afford it, we had a good roof over our heads and that was the important thing. Losing that house will not be the end of the world for her. It could be the best thing that could happen. I wish her the best of luck in her job search.
12/7/2009

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Strong says....
What know feed back on this serious hardship on this family! At least a lil hope for her. Figures, can't believe how hard this town has become. I understand what its like for her! Very hard times with no family level 4 cancer and had know idea just how sick I was. Not one friend or neighbor reached out. And I would help anyone in need at the time! But that was ok. Pull real hard on those boot straps, Cause I got a gut feeling you are a winner! And God has a plan for you even in these hard times!! My mom use to say know matter what, the sun is going to come up and go down. Its going to be ok. Stay strong and god bless you I'll be praying for you!!!
12/7/2009

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shifty says....
Tonys is always looking for people so quit crying and go get a job. its not the best job in the world but at least its something,, noone told you to spend half your salary on a house when im sure you could have found something cheaper.
12/6/2009

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