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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 20, 2006 Clothes, sports equipment will cheer big family By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune 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. Pride is about the only gift a single Medford mother — recently unemployed — can give her family of seven. The 38-year-old is not only trying to provide for six children but also her infant grandson. The family is receiving some government assistance but lives well below the poverty line in a two-bedroom house, said Tom Cole, executive director of Kids Unlimited, a Medford nonprofit group for free after-school programs. "She's never wanted to take assistance," Cole said. The woman's oldest daughter, 19, rejoined the family this year to escape an abusive boyfriend addicted to methamphetamine. Her son was born in August but has no crib or high-chair, Cole said. Advertisement The woman's 17-year-old daughter, who works a few part-time jobs, hopes to attend college but knows she must help make ends meet. Some dressier clothes in women's size 8 or 9 would help her find better employment. The four younger children all have perfect school attendance and love sports. Yet the youngest daughter, 16, didn't try out for this season's high-school intramural basketball team for embarrassment of not having the right shoes or clothes for practice. She wears size 7 shoes and large athletic wear. The 14- and 13-year-old boys want a weight bench because they can't afford gym memberships and don't have the transportation needed to participate in many extra-curricular activities. The youngest boy, 8, loves professional sports and dreams of owning a NBA jersey, boys size 7. Gift certificates for Toys 'R Us would be a special present. Donations can be delivered to Kids Unlimited, 821 N. Riverside Ave., Medford. For more information, call 774-3900. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com