ORLANDO, Fla. – Make Ends Meet and News 6 viewers donated $1,600 in gift cards for Harbor House survivors, just in time for the 2023 holiday season.
“We’re really giving them empowerment,” Harbor House CEO Michelle Sperzel said. “Thank you so much, this is going to be such a game changer.”
Sperzel and her staff chose four single moms to receive a $400 gift card.
The funds were donated by Make Ends Meet viewers during the COVID unemployment crunch that started in March 2020.
News 6 used the remaining money to help single moms struggling to make ends meet.
Kenetha, nursing student and mother of two young girls, said she never expected the financial generosity.
She had been invited to WKMG-TV studios to talk about the impact Harbor House gift cards have had during past holiday seasons.
“My kids are always like, ‘Wow, Santa brought all of these presents,’” She recalled. “To me, they are Santa.”
Harbor House supporters donate gift cards during the year ranging in value from $25 to $50 for gas and food.
The funds are used to buy their children holiday gifts during the holiday season.
She was stunned when we presented her with a $400 gift card.
“They are providing my kids with things I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” she told News 6. “For me, this is going to be a tremendous blessing for me and my daughters, thank you for considering me.”
The other parents, who asked we not identify them, sent us thank you notes to express their gratitude.
One mom wrote: ”Dear News 6 and Viewers, Thank you for the generous gift for my family. We really appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts.”
And the young daughter of one of the moms wrote: ”I love you people so much, thank you for giving this to us, so much, for this.”
If you would like to donate a gift card to Harbor House mail it to: Harbor House Gift Card Drive, PO Box 680748, Orlando, FL 32868.
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