x
Breaking News
More () »

Christmas loads lightened for Valley families struggling to make ends meet

Families struggling to provide were gifted all the holiday trimmings and a gift for each of their kids.

PHOENIX — It's no secret that everything has become more expensive over the past few years. 

It's hitting families everywhere from groceries to rent, including Nigel Thompson's family. 

"We're making it, but then we have to choose: Do we pay our rent or do we buy gifts?" Thompson said. 

At Ken Garff Kia on Bell Road, the Christmas holiday came early. 

"Good thing that we could find things like this and still be able to give our children a good Christmas," Thompson said. 

Families that are struggling this year were gifted the Christmas essentials: the trees, the trimmings and holiday dinners all boxed up and tied down to go to their new homes. Each kid also received a gift already wrapped. 

"I mean from the gifts to the Santa Claus, the toys, the laughter of the other children, obviously, we know that you guys are doing a great thing," Thompson said. 

Six-year-old Zavon, and his mom, Franchesca Ward, received their tree, trimmings, dinner and gift delivered to their home. 

Ward, a single mom, moved them out to Arizona from Alabama and changed jobs. 

"What I did have saved up I had to use it toward, you know, trying to keep us above water and make sure we have lights and somewhere to stay and, you know, food and everything like that. So it put us behind," Ward said. 

A few days before the delivery, Ward said Zavon had asked her where their Christmas tree was. 

"This means a lot because no parent wants to be able to tell their son or their child no, or they can't," Ward said. 

A Christmas tree was also a new addition to the Germinsky home, too. 

"Between the two of us we have 14 children and three grandbabies," Charity Germinsky said of her and her husband, Michael Germinsky. "And most of them are here." 

Michael's construction job brought them to Arizona but hours have been cut this year. 

"Because of the inflation prices, companies are not wanting to continue with projects as much, or they want to wait until inflation is, you know, back down so they don't have to pay for the supplies," Charity said. "So you know, they've been scrambling to try and get him more hours to keep it afloat." 

But a tree wasn't the only thing the family was missing in their living room.

"What I'd like to do on behalf of Ken Garrf Kia - I noticed you didn't have a couch here. Maybe this weekend we can go out and get you some couches to be able to fill the space over here for you," said Carlos Aguirre, general manager at Ken Garff Kia. 

The offer is something the family was grateful and excited for. 

"Big old smiles on my kids' faces over there - thank you, I can't thank you guys enough," Charity said. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out