This year B98.5 gave deserving local families a “Merry Little Christmas” filled with some big gifts...thanks to you!

The families’ Christmas lists, totaling nearly 300 gifts, were fulfilled by donations from our partner, Breda Pest Management and B98.5′s generous listeners (that’s YOU!). The families were invited to Stone Mountain Park where they joined B98.5 on-air hosts, Tad Lemire, Drex Rener and Abby Jessen for an exclusive lunch with crafts, photo opportunities, gifts. They also had the opportunity to enjoy the magic of Stone Mountain Park Christmas. Each family $200 gift card from Publix and a box full of household essentials, all of which will be delivered by the B98.5 team just in time for Christmas. By giving these families one less thing to worry about this Christmas, B98.5 made the holiday brighter for some very deserving children.

Thanks to Breda Pest Management, Publix and Stone Mountain Park for making this program possible!

Meet the 2024 Merry Little Christmas Families

The Cave Family

The Cave family was nominated by their eldest/adult daughter, Carristina. She told us that her family of several children under the age of 18, is currently homeless and staying in a one-room hotel. Carristina does her best to contribute but it has been difficult since being in a car accident where she was permanently hurt. She wants to make this Christmas special for the kids. She said “I don’t want anything, but if you just did it for the kids…me and my mom seeing them happy would warm our hearts. Thank you if you took the time to read this.“

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Pierce Family

In life, there are moments when a little extra support can make all the difference, not just for an individual, but for an entire family. Chalonda is the mother an an 8-year old daughter, and she lost her job in June due to company downsizing. As bills continue to pile up, she has found herself in a position where necessities like food, clothing, and other expenses have become increasingly difficult to afford. The Pierce family has been impacted by ongoing challenges including a number of deaths and illnesses. Despite these setbacks and difficult times, they continue to volunteer at church and remain involved in the community. Chalonda told us “I am not just seeking help; I am seeking an opportunity to regain my independence for me and my daughter. Thank you for considering my family in this contest, and for giving me the chance to create a brighter future.”

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Garwood Family:

The Garwood family was nominated by the children’s grandfather. He told us “I am reaching out to share the story of my daughter, who is a loving mother of four (with the youngest just 3 years old). She has always been there for her family, friends, and community, selflessly providing support and care to those around her despite her lifelong illness. Recently, my daughter lost her job, which has had a significant impact on her and her family, especially because my grandson requires extensive care and attention. My granddaughter, a senior in high school, has taken on a job to help support the household during these challenging times, demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience…Thank you so much for considering our situation. Your support could truly make a difference in their lives.”

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Ruiz-Loredo Family:

The Ruiz family is living with friends at the moment after Tere (the mother) lost her job due to a surgery and complications. Her daughters, a 6-year old and 15-year old are in need of basic items this holiday season while the family does their best to get back on their feet.

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Beckham Family:

The Beckham family is made up of a single mother and her four children ages 4, 5, 11 and 14. The family member who nominated them told us, “The mother has done everything she can to make ends meet. For several months she was behind on rent in the new place, only able to pay partial. Thank God her rental did not evict her and her four kids. They work with her each month. She doesn’t know what she will do for the kids for Christmas. They need winter clothes and shoes as well. As her mother and their grandmother, I know their struggles. I am asking B98.5 to assist Princess and her children this Christmas.”

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Vazquez Family:

The Vazquez family is a multi-generational household, with two children ages 12 and 8. The grandmother nominated her family in hopes of bringing some holiday cheer after a difficult couple of years. She is battling cancer while working with her son to care for the grandchildren after the death of her oldest son. She told us, “I don’t see how we can manage Christmas dinner, let alone gifts from Santa.”

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Proshek Family:

The Proshek family welcomed their sweet baby boy, Jace, in May 2023. In utero he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect as he had two holes in his heart. It was expected that although the diagnosis would require open heart surgery, Jace ultimately would not be greatly impacted by this diagnosis. Unexpectedly, Jace faced many other medical challenges that led to the first 313 days of his life being spent in the hospital. He finally came home in April of this year. Parents, Natalie and Kyle, had to navigate the extended hospital stay while also taking care of their daughter, Maisie, at home. The Proshek family has adapted to so much and continues to face Jace’s ongoing diagnoses on a daily basis. This will be the first Christmas together as a family. After all Maisie and Jace have been through, we hope to create a little extra magic at Christmas for them.

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Garcia Family:

The Garcia family was nominated by a family friend who told us, “Their house burned down in October and they lost everything. They barely escaped the fire with only the clothes that they were wearing… It is a blessing that they survived the fire but I would like to see them be able to have a blessed and Merry Christmas. The grandmother is raising her two granddaughters alone and has been raising them since they both were born. I pray that they can receive a blessing no matter how big or small.”

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Roberts Family:

The Roberts family consists of four children and a single mother. They were nominated by a family member who told us “My sister has had a rough couple of years. Everything from a house fire to the loss of her significant other.” In the aftermath of that, she lost her truck due to it being in his name and was homeless with her family for a year. The nominator continued, “she recently moved in with me with her children and is trying her best to get back on her feet. There are nine of us in my one and half bedroom apartment… everyone could use a little extra joy this Christmas season.”

Click here for the Roberts family’s gift registry. You can also send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Mcelhannon/Jones Family:

The McElhanon/Jones Family was nominated by a family friend who said, “My sweet Taylor was shot during the Apalachee HS shooting on September 4th. Taylor and her twin sister Hannah and their older brother Cody are raised and cared for by their grandfather... Since the shooting, Taylor is the only student that remains in the hospital trying to recover. Her grandfather has been driving back and forth from Arthur Blank Hospital to Winder every day, and that puts a lot on his plate with taking care of the other two at the same time. The medical bills are piling up along with other things.” She continued, “This family deserves to have some love shown to them in any possible way. With everything that Taylor has gone through and trying her best to walk again, her spirits are always high and she is constantly asking how others are doing.” Help us give this whole family a joyful holiday season!

Gift List Fulfilled! You can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

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