Single mother is optimistic, thankful for Holiday Partners

Hanna Arnett cares for her elderly great grandmother during the day. It’s her way of helping her family while also tending to her two children – a daughter, age 20 months, and a son, six months.

The single mom was studying to be a paralegal, but an unexpected pregnancy put those plans on hold. Now she works as a caregiver in return for a place to live, although she says she would gladly take care of her great-grand even if she didn’t get housing in return.

She hopes to go back to school and finish her degree next year, but first she must pay some back tuition that accrued when she had to leave school. That means she must find a job, which she plans to do after the first of the year.

“My mom and I agreed that I should wait ‘til the new year so that I can spend this time with my kids,” Arnett said.

Though she has her car paid off and doesn’t currently have any bills, her very limited income didn’t allow her to purchase Christmas gifts for her children.

Thanks to the Holiday Partners program, she doesn’t have to worry. And, for that, she says she’s very grateful.

Holiday Partners is sponsored by United Way of York County in partnership with OTX Media/WRHI (AM 1340) Radio Station’s Toys for Happiness Program and The Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund.

Readers are asked to make monetary donations to The Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund.

Last year your donations to these organizations helped serve about 1,800 area children who otherwise would have had few, if any, presents.

This year the program will provide toys for Arnett’s children – hopefully a stuffed Mickey Mouse or baby doll for her daughter and some crinkle books and an infant toy for her baby boy.

Though she’s the first to admit that life as a single mom isn’t easy, she isn’t complaining. And with her optimistic attitude, she’s looking forward to the future.

“In five years, I plan to be working as a paralegal, and I plan to have a place of my own for me and my children.,” Arnett said.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. No matter what, it’s all going to be OK.”

WANT TO HELP?

To contribute to the Herald’s Empty Stocking Fund, the proceeds of which goes to support Holiday Partners, send donations to United Way, P.O. Box 925, Rock Hill, SC 29731.