TAMPA–GTE Financial made the holiday spirit shine bright for dozens of families. Make Hope Real is part of its annual promise campaign and aims to deliver a dose of holiday happiness to families struggling during the season.
Families are nominated by GTE Community Financial Center staff members, and all of GTE employees raise funds throughout the month to help support these deserving families. GTE Financial received the families at their headquarters and escort them on an adventure that included a shopping spree at Target, gift wrapping, and a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
The families included:
· Clark Family. This beautiful family of four is preparing for one of their son’s severe scoliosis surgery. Due to the financial impact of this costly operation, holiday shopping would have been extremely limited for the family this year.
· Hall Family. Thanks to Make Hope Real, this single mother will be able to provide her young daughter with a wonderful Christmas. After her husband was murdered and her car recently stolen, all her savings are going to buying a new car.
· Sierra Pérez. Is a young woman in her 20’s who has been self-sustaining since she turned 18. Pérez lost her mother when she was in high school, and shortly after was abandoned by her father.
· Hooker Family - With her daughter incarcerated, this grandmother is raising her two grandsons with a limited social security budget, and providing a memorable holiday for them was going to be very difficult.