NHCO Helps Injured Mom Give Family a Merry Christmas

Melissa is a certified nursing assistant and mother of three daughters, 16, 14, and 3. A car accident and subsequent back surgery in March of 2022 left her unable to work while she recovers, which can take 18-24 months.

"I take care of other people usually, but right now I'm not supposed to lift," Melissa said during a visit to NHCO's toy distribution last December in Millvale.

Last spring and after the surgery, her 16-year-old daughter unexpectedly moved in with her. "She had absolutely nothing," Melissa remembered. She then learned about NHCO's services through her church.

On her first visit, NHCO's Vicki Burstynowicz gave them school supplies, clothes, and a Target gift certificate so the 16-year-old could settle into school. Vicki oversees NHCO's Sharing Projects, a series of annual collections that gathers and distributes donated goods to those in need.  

​"We came in to get coats and I just told her about the situation about my daughter briefly," Melissa said. "And that's when she (Vicki) also surprised us with a book bag for school stuff, sheets for a bed." For nearly a year, she's received items for her family from three NHCO Sharing Projects: Back to School Supplies Collection, Winter Coat Shop, and Holiday Toy Shop.

Donors can "Adopt a Family" when giving to NHCO's toy drive. Last holiday season, an anonymous donor, or Secret Santa, paid for Melissa's gifts through NHCO's Toy Shop. The donor was from The Three Rivers Leatherneck Detachment, part of the Marine Corps League.

According to Janet Lindner, Christmas Service Project Coordinator with the Detachment, they choose NHCO "because of the great reputation that the organization has in serving the needs of our neighbors in our local community."

"The Adopt a Family program is a great for kids to get the exact gifts they want while giving a personal connection to a family for a donor," Vicki said.

With help from our supporters and donors, NHCO is assisting Melissa while she’s on the road to recovery. And her daughters have gifts and necessities to take on the new year. That is why we’re an organization of “People Helping People.”

"They're amazing. They're helpful, "she said about NHCO. "Just unexpectedly awesome. I mean, we're grateful for any help."

Learn more about NHCO's Sharing Projects and how you can help, or recieve items, at NHCO.org/sharing-project-donations​