Deciding who to bless with this money was a very hard decision for me to make. So many people I know are struggling just trying to make ends meet. I considered placing an ad on Craigslist, but was reminded that if I did this I would have to turn people away. I ended up making a list of the people in my life who need this money more than I. The woman I chose has found herself recently single, with only a part-time job to support herself and her children. April is raising and caring for a total of 6 children; her daughter, Sara, her ex’s two daughters, Jessica and Sondra, and son, Brandon, Sondra’s boyfriend, Tyler, and their 6 month old baby, Zeke.

April is one of the kindest and most giving people I know. She took in the additional kids because, as she dealt with her own struggles growing up, a wonderful lady took her in and gave her direction in her life. Since April turned her life around, she has always been there to lend a helping hand, even when she doesn’t have much to give. Every penny she works for at her part-time job has gone to maintaining a safe a secure home for those in her care. During our last get together, April expressed her despair over her inability to give the kids Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. There was simply no way she was going to have money to spare.

I surprised April at her home on Sunday. She was playing with baby Zeke when I arrived. When I handed her the envelope, she looked at me with a puzzled expression on her face. I said to open it, and I would explain once she did. As she opened the envelope, her eyes went wide and immediately misted over. I explained what Payday had allowed us to do for the people in our community as “Angels on the Street” this year. As she cried, she told me how very thankful she was that I had thought of her. She already knew that the first thing she would buy was a Thanksgiving dinner to share with her family, and then at least one Christmas present for each of the kids with the money that was left over.

Amidst many hugs and tears, April elicited my promise that I would let everyone here at Payday know just how much this gift means to her and her family this difficult year. Payday has made it possible for her family to enjoy the holidays they would not have been able to without these “Angels on the Street.” It is a great feeling to be part of a company with a desire to give so many families a chance at a better holiday season.

-Jessica R.