Father losing job devastates family

The financial crisis has devastated this family.

This mother of three said that for years her husband was "the most hard-working, reliable guy" she had ever met.

That all changed when he was laid off from his job last year.

The dad took the loss of his position and paycheck particularly hard, sunk into a deep depression, and began acting strange.

"I didn't even recognize him when I looked at his face," the mom said.

She discovered he had turned to meth, and tried to get him to seek help, but he wouldn't. Then, he stopped coming home. He also stopped paying the bills with his unemployment insurance.

"It was terrible, but I didn't want him in the house if he was using drugs," she said.

Several months ago, the dad was arrested and sent to prison. Now she knows he won't be coming home.

"We lost him to that drug," she said. "I'm heartbroken, and so are the kids."

They lost their home, and are living in a shelter right now.

With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for folks like this - people left jobless, homeless or who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.

Last year our generous readers' donations allowed us to assist thousands of families in need, and this year we expect to be asked for help from far more.

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