Project Santa

The effort has raised more than $7.5 million since 1992 when the Tulsa World took it over from the former Tulsa Tribune.

The effort has raised more than $7.5 million since 1992 when the Tulsa World took it over from the former Tulsa Tribune.

The family assistance fund that Project Santa  supports is there for households who need it throughout the year. And with the uncertainties of 2020 almost certain to continue, the need in 2021 could be greater than ever, officials said.

Hearing from one of her former kids or their families always makes Melanie Woods’ day.

After battling through multiple hospitalizations, watching her income dwindle during the pandemic and losing her husband, daughter and granddaughter, Sharon Whitlock gave this advice: “You gotta look at the good things, because if you didn’t, you wouldn’t have anything to live for.”

At first, Melinda Walsh couldn’t make sense of what she was hearing.

For Lucy Forbes, 2020 has been difficult in about every conceivable way.

Dad was laid off, and Mom's work hours were just enough to maintain health insurance, a necessity as one of their seven sons needed surgery, the scheduling of which also was affected by the pandemic.

It will take time for Nakiesha Johnson and her girls to get back to any type of normal after her stepdaughter with cystic fibrosis was hospitalized.

Coming into 2020, Maria Manzini, a special education paraprofessional at Skelly Elementary School, had set some big goals before the COVID-19 pandemic changed her outlook. 

A job loss, combined with Greg Treace’s subsequent cancer diagnosis, knocked his family for a loop.

With her condition, Tonia Burdette, previously employed in a grocery store meat department, hasn’t been able to work.

As primary caregiver for her ill father and 17-year-old daughter, Tulsan Claudia Aviles feels conflicted about returning to fulltime work. 

Sue Brackett-Steele started as a server in Tulsa and rose to become general manager, brought in to turn around struggling IHOPs. But with a rapid health decline, her focus now must be on her own struggles.

“I met so many positive people who were so kind — even when I wasn’t,” said  Kelbie Hancock, now 17, adding that she’s grateful for her doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, who never wavered in their dedication.

Every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday through the holiday season, the World will feature stories about some of the families being helped through the fund.

One of many area residents affected by last spring’s record floods, Wanda Smith ended up making three trips back to her west Tulsa neighborhood to retrieve belongings from her house, which sits just off the Arkansas River.

Phyllis Henson endures what no mother should have to.

“They’ve been a godsend in just helping somebody start a new life,” she said.

When Kelbie Hancock, a Skiatook High School student, was diagnosed in June with a rare but aggressive form of cancer, her aunt, Daynise Dickerson, knew she had to help. “I told (my husband), ‘Kelbie needs a home,’” she said.

It was hard for Derringer Gray — “it’s a humbling position as a man to accept help,” he said. But he’s hopeful that ultimately the experience will allow him to better serve others.

The friendly voice at the other end of the line.

It wasn’t the way Michael and Karen Hymen had dreamed of beginning their new life together.