Ten-year-old Cesar Vazquez, the oldest son of Kathia Gomez, loves soccer, and he'd love to be playing in a league, but the family can't afford the fees. It's at the top of his Christmas wish list at a time when his family is worrying about paying the rent, needing a second car and thinking about career advancement, and with Gomez possibly going back to school to become a nurse.
For the Season for Caring families with children, although they have asked for toys for their kids, there are other wishes that would have a lasting effect on their children.
Season for Caring highlights the needs of 12 local families and helps hundreds of others through the nonprofit that nominated them. Since 1999, the Statesman's signature charity program has raised more than $20 million to help local nonprofits. Now through Christmas, the Sheth family is matching all monetary donations up to $500,000.
Cesar and the Gomez-Rodriguez family were nominated by SAFE, which focuses on preventing abuse. To find out more about the Gomez-Rodriguez family or to give an item on their wish list, contact SAFE at 512-844-1392 or at safeaustin.org.
Harlow and Harper Babbitt, 3-year-old twins, really want to learn how to swim and need lessons. They would also love a swing set to be able to use their backyard more often. Their mother, Nichole Babbitt, needs a gently used car, which would make a big difference to the family, which now relies on Uber or walking. Foundation for the Homeless, 512-453-6570, foundationhomeless.org.
Ivanna Farfan Canales, 14, is the only daughter of Thamairis Canales Yanez, who has breast cancer that has gone to her brain. The family came to the U.S. in 2017 from Venezuela because of the unrest there. Ivanna would like a new computer and an iPad as well as AirPods. The family's biggest needs are gift cards for Uber and Lyft because Canales can no longer drive after a recent seizure. Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-524-2560, bcrc.org.
Asmah and Hafasa Shamsi, almost 7 and 5, really want a laptop, a printer and a monitor for schoolwork, as well as to help their father, Mir Shamsi, earn his master's degree in engineering and help their mother, Shameem Shamsi, learn English. Their little sister, Liya, who is 2 months old, needs all the things for a baby including a stroller, car seat and crib. The family also needs help with rent assistance. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org.
Itan Rodriguez, 16, wants a soccer uniform and cleats so he can play soccer at school. His four younger siblings need laptops and a printer to get ahead in school. The family, which came to the U.S. from Honduras after Itan's brother Antonio was having seizures, needs a pickup for father Dennis Rodriguez's work and training for Dennis Rodriguez to become a plumber. Foundation Communities, 737-267-5738, foundcom.org.
Nakari Davis, the 17-month-old son of Jalayah Patterson and Nathan Davis, has received many toys on his wish list, but he and his family's biggest need is a new apartment. They had to leave their apartment after the air conditioner repeatedly broke. They also need a gently used car for his parents to get to work and help with child care expenses. Any Baby Can, 512-276-8199, anybabycan.org.
Aaliyah Lopez, 8, wants roller skates and an Elf on the Shelf, but of course her parents also want to start a college saving fund for her. Her mother, Gina Lopez, has pancreatic cancer and is unable to work during treatment. The family's home needs a new water heater and to have two toilets replaced. They also need help with car repairs and paying their mortgage. Wonders & Worries, 512-329-5757, wondersandworries.org.
The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring.
All donations are being matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family through Christmas Day. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 16A and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to "Statesman Season for Caring."
Use the form below or click here: https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring