While sitting on the porch of the trailer that he has been renting for just over a month, Jimmy Hamrick exhaled the smoke of a cigarette while plotting the next move for his family. He hadn't slept in more than two days and bags were forming under eyes — eyes filled with a lifetime of pain and suffering.
Hamrick, 34, is a single father of two boys, both of whom have disorders that have made life a daily struggle. Zachary, 8, has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Andrew, 7, lives with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and chronic lung disease.
Andrew's condition means he requires constant care from nurses. After Hamrick's divorce, he found it difficult to find consistent help while he went to work. He said nurses stopped coming out altogether, forcing him to stay home with his son.
"I've sacrificed a lot," he said. "I had to give my job up for Andy. At that time, all of the nurses we had were friends of my wife. When she left, they left."
Hamrick has 14 years of management experience, having spent 10 years as the assistant project manager of the housekeeping department of the Governors Square Mall. But the demands of his family means he has been unable to keep steady work and has trouble making ends meet.
One of his sacrifices was selling three collectable items and his PlayStation 3 in order to get gifts for the boys last Christmas — gifts that amounted to some clothes that he was able to buy from the Salvation Army.
"It's just been really hard to keep everything together," he said. "My 8-year-old doesn't understand what's going on, but he still needs things."
Hamrick said the new living arrangements are an upgrade from where he and the boys came from, but are still a far cry from the life he knows they deserve.
"Before we got here, where we lived was a dump. It was the first trailer I saw and we needed somewhere to live fast," Hamrick said. "I had no idea that it was infested. I went without central heat and hot water for a year. I had to boil water on the stove and pour it into the bathtub so that we could have a warm bath."
"When the pressure drops outside, he will cough so bad that he can't breathe. Sometimes he even changes colors," Hamrick said. "That doesn't stop me from treating him like a normal little boy. I play with him, sing to him and let him listen to music — he loves the Florida State chant."
What the family needs
Critical needs: This family is in need of help with housing and transportation (at this time, they do not have secure living arrangements and are considering living at Hope Community Center). They are in need of sheets and bath towels, and would love a washer and a dryer.
Father, age 34: pant 32x34, shirt ML, shoe 11.5, underwear L. Suggested gift items: black sheets (queen), housing items
Son, age 8: pant 7 child, shirt 6 child, shoe 5 child, underwear 6 boxers. Suggested gift items: action figures, Transformers, Legos, space ship, board games, Uno
Son, age 7: pant 6 child, shirt 6 child, shoe 3 child, underwear 6 child. Suggested gift items: children's learning toy, musical light-up toy, socks
How to help
Donate in person: Drop off donations at the former Harvey's Supermarket, 5010 W. Tennessee St., by Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. (Please DO NOT bring donations to the Democrat!)
Donate online: Monetary donations can also be made at thechristmasconnection.org.
Adopt a family: Complete a brief form at the website and a family will be assigned to you by a volunteer adoption specialist.
Host a Christmas Connection holiday party: Gather people from your office, school, church, sports team, family or friends and host a party to benefit our less fortunate neighbors. You can collect gift items, gift cards and/or monetary donations, which can be brought to the site during regular operating hours.
Volunteer: Visit the website to choose a time to volunteer or go to the donation site for an assignment.
Most needed items this year: Gift cards, baby food (all stages) and formula, baby items, disposable diapers (infant/adult), heaters (electric/space), blankets, new clothing (all sizes including extra large, infant to adult), new coats, hats and gloves, toiletries and household items, bikes and non-perishable foods, especially protein foods.
