Last year, Christopher’s fiancée passed away due to COVID-19, leaving behind four young children. Christopher moved to raise the children, who range in age from 2 to 13 years.

“I had to quit my job and take over guardianship of the kids as a full-time caregiver,” he said. “Right now, I’m doing okay to pay for the bills, but having gifts covered helps with the tight budget.”

Christopher said that keeping gas in the tank is the biggest challenge right now. “We have housing, food stamps and I own my vehicle, so we are paying for things like electricity, cable, phone and car insurance,” he said. “I have started donating plasma again as another source of income.”

The four children are looking forward to Christmas and Christopher is hoping that he can get help with gifts so that he can focus on paying the bills and supporting the children.

“We put the Christmas tree up together on Black Friday and the kids are kids – they’re looking forward to new toys,” he said.

Jackson, age two, needs t-shirts, underwear and pants. He wears a 2T in pants and shirts and his shoe size is 8. He would love “Star Wars” or “Bluey” toys. He likes “Star Wars,” “Bluey” and “Cocomelon” board books, and his favorite colors are turquoise and orange.

Seven-year-old Adam could use pants (size 10/12), hoodies and t-shirts, with a shirt size large. His shoe size is 5. He would like Hot Wheels track and “Jurassic Park” toys. He likes to read books about dinosaurs, Spiderman and “Paw Patrol,” and he loves the colors blue and black.

Presley is eight years old and needs some underwear, leggings and socks. Her pants and shirt sizes are both 10/12 and her shoe size is 4. She likes to read “Wings of Fire,” “Hunger Games” and books by Judy Blume. For gifts, she would like some Magic Mixies or Jurassic World toys.

Thirteen-year-old Hallie would like some Monster High dolls and dangle earrings. She likes to read graphic novels, including Betty and Veronica books. She is in need of new underwear, pants and leggings. She wears a pants size L, shirt size M and shoe size 7.

“This is the second Christmas without their mom,” Christopher said. “They still feel her absence.”

All names of Sub for Santa participants have been changed. To help a family like this one, call the Sub for Santa hotline at (801) 356-6300 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or visit https://subforsanta.org.

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