Life’s thrown some grim challenges in Mill Creek area resident Sandy Claflin’s path. Partially blind, she lost her husband to a sudden tragedy four years ago and has two children to raise on meager finances. If it weren’t for two local youth groups, Claflin and seven other families like hers wouldn’t have much of a Christmas.
Gabe Oh, teen coordinator for the City of Mill Creek, said Volunteers of America provided the city with a list of struggling families who live in or near Mill Creek. Claflin was one family on the list. On Dec. 24, teens serving on the city’s youth advisory board and youth from a local 4-H group delivered a full holiday meal and gifts to those families.
In a city known for its affluence, it’s a paradox that within a few miles from prosperous suburbs, simply getting a turkey dinner will ease the burden for many families.
When she found out she was getting a full turkey dinner delivered on Christmas Eve, Claflin said she was relieved.
“You can stretch a turkey a lot of ways. You can make sandwiches, casseroles and soups from the leftovers,” Claflin said. The money she can save instead of buying groceries for the holidays will go toward other needs, she said.
After her husbands death, Claflin pursued a degree in technical arts. Even with her achievement and the volunteer work she did for United Way of Snohomish County, it’s still hard to find employment.
‘Being blind makes finding a job harder. They call me high-functioning because I can see some, but I can’t drive because I have poor depth perception.”
The Department of Services for the Blind is trying to help.
“They think I would be a good example working in customer service,” she said. “I go from month to month. I’m hoping for a job soon.”
Bothell resident Barb Crane is a 4-H mom who is grateful she is playing a part in brightening holidays for families like Claflin’s.
‘I looked around and called the city and Oh said he’d help us find ways to give. For our little three-family group, Eager Hands, getting donations for holiday dinners was the easiest way to help.”
Crane spent about two hours a day for the past several weeks getting donations for deluxe holiday dinners. The meals serve up to 18 people, she said. Working with the city gave Eager Hands credibility helping boost the donations. Many areas businesses responded beautifully, Crane said.
Oh said he’s happy about the new coats, T-shirts, and toys that people have donated. He admires Crane’s “huge heart and drive to help others.” Oh is also proud of the city’s youth.
Alex Massengale, student at Jackson High School, serves on the city’s youth advisory board and said volunteering her time during the holidays to deliver dinners and gifts is a good experience.
“I have food to eat and my family can afford to celebrate Christmas in nice ways, things lots of kids take for granted.”
That realization is why Massengale is glad to help people who have fallen on hard times and who are trying to get back on their feet.
The stereotype of people who need assistance as being lazy is outdated, Massengale believes. She’s worked for another group, Social Venture Partners, investigating different charity organizations and said that most poverty-stricken people are generally small families from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and circumstances just trying to survive.
Crane heartily agrees. The families on the city’s list are not very far away. “They’re here, needing. These are people right here in our area.”
Lisa Weatherwax lives and writes in Bothell.
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