I hope you’ll consider helping again at Wish Upon A Hero, where people ask for what they want or need and you get the chance to grant their wish. (This year, they have a section for granting Hurricane Sandy survivor wishes.)

Here’s an example from Ohio:

My name is Josh. My family and I have been struggling for awhile. We have a 4 year old son. We are looking for jobs. The economy is tough now. We are just asking if anyone can help us with some financial burdens. We are behind on rent quite a bit. We don’t have a vehicle and with no income coming in, its extremely hard taking the bus. We had to cancel several doctors appointments because we had no way to get there. Our son is missing out on pre K because its hard to get him there. We know times are hard for a lot of families. We are just wishing for gift cards, money donations, we do have a Paypal account. If more information is needed please feel free to email us at ja112487@yahoo.com. Thank you heroes. God bless.

And another from Florida:

My two little girls were blessed this year with christmas but we were unable to afford stockings for them. They are ages 4 and 8. They would love to get a stocking each this year filled with goodies.

Natalee is my 4 yr old little girl. She loves Spongebob, Dora and cats! She loves to dress up with her sister and enjoys coloring. She also loves monkeys.

Donna is my 8 yr old and more mature for her age. She loves Dora herself but also loves Princess, barbies and like her sister LOVES dress up! She also loves coloring.

They both would love to also get some arts and crafts too. They’ve asked for tons & tons & tons of buttons, various sizes, colors, shapes, etc. Mismatch socks – Stain free, hole free, clean a& from a smoke free home. & tons & tons of cotton fluff, skeins &/or balls of various colored yarn, threads of various colors, paints (Washable), finger paints (washable), construction paper, glitter, glue bottle, glue sticks (both nontoxic), color pencils, markers (nontoxic & scented, including the ones with the cute little shapes), crayons, pencils, pencil sharpener, various color pipe cleaners, stencils, pom-pom balls, cottons balls, tons & tons of beads (various shapes, sizes, colors, can be glass, plastic, etc.) glue sticks *Small sized* (Used for glue guns), papers, popsicle sticks, assorted gems, stickers, the little $0.25 machine toys and Donna has asked for her own sewing machine. Mine broke & I had to throw it out. I’ve been unable to located one since. I can’t afford a new one so one preferable with a manual so I can teach her to use it would be awesome!

I’ve told them both that Santa is very busy and not to get their hopes up on getting the crafting items. They would love to get what they asked for towards this. Santa’s Helpers were kind enough to give them some of the stuff on their list but the arts and crafts were asked for after Santa got their letter.

Please contact me for my info if you can help them 🙂

From Belleville, Illinois:

6 children in need for christmas

just one little thing would help each child. Someone please help me give them a smile on christmas. we dont have the money for even one dollar toys. keeping the utilites and rent paid has drained us. My son is 14 and he likes clothes, music, and cologne. Daughter is 13 and shes into makeup and hair stuff. Son that is 6 loves anything with Angry Birds on it. Twins are 3, boy twin-likes play dinosaurs, bugs,& bubbles…..girl twin- likes play makeup like sissy, dolls & color books. The baby is 1 year and he likes trucks that make noise. No matter how small the present is, it will be so appreciated. Thank you

The need is so great. No matter how small the amount you can afford, there’s someone on this list who would be grateful.