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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 28, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 21, 2004 Children traumatized by abuse need to have a merrier Christmas EDITOR’S NOTE: "Light One Candle" is an annual Mail Tribune feature that focuses on the single need of an individual, family or agency during the holidays. By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune The shock and betrayal of family sexual abuse is never easy to bear, but it’s particularly difficult during the holidays. For a large Medford family, learning that two of six children have been abused by a close relative has been traumatic. Combined with the stresses of unemployment and a recent move, it has left everyone reeling, says Jackie Ralph, a volunteer coordinator with the Children’s Advocacy Center in Medford. Advertisement "It’s enough to deal with the abuse and betrayal all by itself," Ralph says. "But to not be working and to be worrying about Christmas for six children is beyond belief." The family is gaining assistance through the Medford center, which provided services last year for more than 600 sexually abused kids. But community donations could go a long way toward a brighter holiday for this family. The parents, who are in their mid-30s, have six children: five girls ages 16, 12, 10, 9 and 6 and a 3-year-old boy. They need virtually everything for Christmas, from food for the holiday meal to gifts for the children, Ralph says. Suggested gifts include boomboxes, VHS movies and Barbie dolls. Certificates for movie passes or fast-food meals would also be welcome. Gift cards are also appropriate. Donations of gifts or nonperishable foods can be delivered to the Children’s Advocacy Center, 816 W. 10th St., Medford, OR 97501. The center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday this week. Ralph plans to deliver the donations Christmas Eve. For more information, call her at 282-5474, extension 115. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers