ESF: West Coast Family Centers Save Christmas for Nguyens

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Last December, Trinh Nguyen and her family were in crisis. They were kicked out, her husband had her back pain and she was pregnant.

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“It was an incredibly stressful time for her,” said Kevin Doan, a 36-year-old Vietnamese immigrant translator. Doan is a family protection worker at West Coast Family Centres.

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“The gifts she received from the Holiday Humpers program brought a light to her Christmas. , I was especially happy that there was a coat for a newborn baby.”

Nguyen’s husband came first, fetching his wife and child Anna four years ago. They now have 3 children. Anna, now 9, Justin, 2.5, and Lincoln, 8 months old.

Nguyens was referred to West Coast Family Centers, which is affiliated with the Department of Child and Family Development. Among the services offered is the Holiday Hamper program. The program started several years ago, says Ludovic Sioffi, the volunteer chairman of the WCFC’s community development committee.

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“We pitched to the West Coast Family Center, ‘Do you think you can make a list of people and what they need?’ The original list was about 15 to 20 people. It will bring tears to your eyes if you’ve ever seen one.. There was no demand for a TV or PlayStation, it was the sort of thing you and I probably took for granted It was food cards, diapers, socks, shoes and hopefully one toy for the kids.”

Last year the group distributed 150 baskets. He expects he will ship more than 200 this year.

“It changed my Christmas, basically my whole life,” Anna says, perhaps exaggerating a bit. I didn’t even have a Christmas tree West Coast Family Centers helped me get more presents than I needed I was drowning in presents So I donated some But I kept most of them. I’m the type of kid who keeps toys.”

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Among her gifts was a squishmallow stuffed animal.

Christmas is celebrated in Vietnam, but “it’s not that exciting,” she said. He didn’t last year. Now he’s old enough.”

Justin got a xylophone last Christmas.

“He makes a fuss. He’s into it.”

Families who sign up for the Holiday Hamper program create a wish list. Anonymous donors from the community make purchases. Families also receive gift cards.

Anna’s wish list this year includes pastel green pants. I like tie-dye and pastels. that’s mine.

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Anna’s favorite cartoons include the Cuphead show. Based on the video game, on Netflix.

“They have a Christmas edition,” she said. “I saw The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It’s really cool. I like the way they rhyme everything.”

There is one more thing to say, she adds.

“West Coast Families changed my Christmas. rice field.”

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