Last year, thanks to the generosity of Berkeley citizens, the Berkeley Holiday Fund senT checks to almost 1,200 Individuals and families.

among them were:

• A single mother of two who lost her job when injured in a car accident

• An elderly grandmother with severe arthritis, caring for her daughter's three children

• A teen mother raising her child on her own while working and going to school to complete her diploma

• A family of four, the father works two low wage jobs and the mother suffers from depression

• A deaf man who is going blind and has no family and few friends

• An elderly woman whose income goes for rent, food, and medication, leaving nothing for personal items

• A Berkeley High student who will be the first in their family to go to college and cannot afford application fees

• A homeless man with mental health problems who suffers from severe, chronic back pain