This year, B98.5′s Tad, Drex and Kara are giving deserving local families a “Merry Little Christmas” filled with some big gifts!

If you are able to help these amazing families have a Merry Little Christmas, please purchase any of the items listed on the families’ registries and have the gifts sent to the B98.5 Offices or bring them by during business hours. All gifts must be at the B98.5 offices by the end of the day on Monday, December 12th. You can also send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

Thanks to Breda Pest Management and Publix for making this all possible, and to NCG Cinema for hosting our families at a very special holiday movie screening!

Meet the Tad & Drex Merry Little Christmas Families:

The Rakestraw Family:

The Rakestraw Family is single mother Jennifer, and her six children ages 8, 11, 16, 20, 21 and 22. They have overcome many struggles and continue to stick together as a family. Jennifer has been through a car accident where she suffered severe injuries and was recently the victim of a senseless crime. The family has been through medical issues causing financial distress, along with car repairs, rent increases and more. The family was nominated by their grandmother who told us “no matter what, Jennifer works, takes care of everything all with a smile on her face regardless.”

>>CLICK HERE for the Rakestraw family’s gift registry

You can also send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Phillips Family:

Sade moved her daughters, ages one and nine, from Florida to get out of an abusive relationship. They came with almost nothing but some clothes to start over here in the Atlanta area. She has been juggling working and childcare, applying for help and starting the new life with her children. Transitions like this are always difficult on children, but Sade does everything she can to provide for them and keep them safe. This Christmas, the Phillips family could use extra cheer and some gifts to help them start their new life!

>>CLICK HERE for the Phillips family’s gift registry

You can also send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The DeKlyen Family:

The DeKlyen Family is Linda (grandmother), Felicia (mother), and four children ages 9, 7, 6 and 4. Felicia was recently injured and has been going through surgeries and out of work while doing her best to care for her four children. Linda was about to retire but due to the family’s needs, she decided to continue to work. They are behind on bills due to Felicia being unable to work and Linda told us that they were at the point where they would only be able to put a few things from the dollar store under the tree this year… until she got our call. They were nominated by a friend who said “I believe in miracles and I think my friend’s grandkids deserve a little blessing this holiday season.”

>>CLICK HERE for the DeKlyen family’s gift registry

You can also send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Carlock Family:

Katherine and her daughter Kennedy (5-year old girl) have overcome incredible hardship and need a little help this holiday season to make it extra special. Kennedy is a thriving little girl who happens to be totally blind with Cerebral Palsy. She is incredible, loves singing, music, Disney, dogs, kindergarten and telling stories! Katherine has had severe health issues since having Kennedy but does everything to make sure that Kennedy experiences all life has to offer, from ballet to tap to touching an alligator! Katie was a registered nurse, always helping many in the community and now, caring for her daughter. This year Kennedy has requested a musical Christmas after being exposed to music at Songs for Kids, a local non-profit.

The Carlock family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Bell Family:

After a years-long process and delays due to Covid, Zoe adopted three sisters (ages 11, 9, and 8), who needed a stable and safe home. All three girls have been through so much, and are still recovering from previous neglect and traumas. Through determination, patience, and faith in God, the adoption was finalized last year and the girls have begun to heal. After the adoption Zoe married Andrew. In true Brady Bunch style, without hesitation, he has taken on the responsibility of being a father of 6. Andrew’s mother nominated the family and told us “The girls have been loved and cared for by Zoe and Andrew the best they can, but there is not much left over for any extras. They shop at thrift stores and pinch pennies to make surethe kids have everything they need. But that leaves even less for their own needs like clothing, shoes, or dates because everything they have goes to the kids. Please consider helping them this Christmas.”

The Bell family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Diaz-Jimenez Family:

The Diaz-Jimenez family does everything they can to help others, despite facing many hardships themselves. Their grandmother, Olga, suffered multiple strokes and the family has taken her in to care for her, bringing her from Florida to live with them. Unfortunately that trip was costly and they had to spend much of the money saved for Christmas gifts. The four boys (ages, 2, 5, 9 and 11) deserve a surprise on Christmas morning. Olga told us they “bring home good grades, help out around the house and also help out with my grandmother without being asked.”

The Diaz-Jimenez family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Watkins Family:

Shadia Watkins is a single, hard-working mother of four children (two boys ages 14 and 13, and two girls age 11 and 9). She has been through personal struggles. She picked up her life and moved to Atlanta to provide for her children and to give them a better and more comfortable, healthy life. Shadia works 12 hour shifts every day to make ends meet. They were nominated by her mother who said “I know she would be so grateful and the kids would be so happy and appreciative to receive this blessing. She’s the mother that would give the shirt off her back to make sure anyone is okay.”

The Watkins family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Brown Family:

The Brown Family is Carla and her three children: a 16-year-old daughter, 15-year-old son, and 4-year-old daughter. Carla has been in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse for nearly two years, and has struggled a lot this past year making sure the children have a roof over their heads, food to eat, and clothes on their backs. The youngest child has suffered from some health issues this year and has been in the hospital. She told us “I’m trying to continue to show my children that even though I failed many times in life and wanted to give up , I don’t. I keep pushing through… I truly believe my kids deserve to have a good Christmas this year.”

The Brown family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Milligan Family:

Alicia (mom), Christopher (Dad), and their four children ages 13, 12, 10 and 2, make up the Milligan Family from Acworth. Christopher has suffered from health issues for many years but this year seems like one of the hardest. A procedure to correct hear issues resulted in blood clots that caused a heart attack. Between the copays for the procedure and Alicia missing so much unpaid time off work, they have hit some financial hard times. Their dream this holiday season is to watch the joy on our children’s faces on Christmas morning when there are gifts under the tree.

The Milligan family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Coffman Family:

Meet the Coffman family: Mikaylie (mom) and Tristan (dad) and their 17-month old daughter. Tristan had a tumor removed from his brain stem in February which has led to a long recovery time. Tristan and Mikaylie are both elementary school teachers, who have done a tremendous job balancing his recovery, their jobs, their home, and parenting this year. As teachers, they give their all to the children in their care, but they need some help this holiday season to provide a special Christmas for their daughter.

The Coffman family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Smith Family:

This amazingly resilient family of seven (children ages 21, 17, 11, 8 and 6) have been through so much within the past few years. Talaia is a devoted mother who was always building her business and volunteering in the community. She is now unable to work due to a medical condition. The episodes have increased as time has gone on without clear explanation from physicians. Like many area families, they have struggled with steady and affordable housing recently. The friend who nominated them said they are “a family of faith but struggling to maintain that bright spirit. Any little bit helps and I would like to put a smile on their faces and give them a relaxed moment a bright spot in their year.”

The Smith family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Byess Family:

The Byess Family is Peggy (mom), Nick (dad) and their seven children ranging from age 2 through 17. They have had difficulty with their vehicles and the HVAC system in their home, which was “fixed” insufficiently and they were left with issues they could not afford to fix. Peggy’s mother, a cancer survivor, suddenly passed away at the end of September and Peggy had to make an emergency trip to California to plan and pay for her celebration of life. She is now helping her stepdad and little sister navigate life without the matriarch of the family. They were nominated by a friend who told us they “make due with what they have but it’s just not ever enough.” Nick works swing shift most of the time because the wages are usually higher, but because of the young ages of the children, Peggy does things like maintain a garden and raise quail to provide food for the family.

The Byess family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Springer Family:

The Springer Family is Diane (mom), Nicholas (dad), and three daughters (a 6-year old and 10-year old twins). They were nominated by a good friend who told us “This family is very loving and always willing to help when they can. Just last month their 6-year old daughter fainted during breakfast one morning, after a few visits to doctors and specialists, she was diagnosed Leukemia. Their world has been turned upside down.” She spent weeks in the hospital and is currently undergoing outpatient treatment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Medical bills have already started to pile up, along with the stress of this diagnosis. The Springer Family is in need of a Merry Christmas!

The Springer family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Stripling Family:

The Stripling Family, Jason (dad), Ashley (mom), Abigail (11), and Isaiah (2) have been through loss of income, health hardships, and housing uncertainty. They were nominated by Ashley’s mother, who is handicapped and has come to live with the family. She said “I’m elderly and a handicapped. Jason and Ashley go out of their way to make sure I get to all my appointments and that all my basic needs are met. Jason puts himself last and never complains about his hardships. He makes sacrifices daily for his wife, daughter, and grandson to have their basic needs.” Jason, Ashley and Tracy just want to give Abigail and Isaiah a wonderful Christmas morning!

The Stripling family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Thompson Family:

Lynn has become the sole care giver, bread earner, legal guardian, and single parent to three of her grandchildren. She has many times put the needs of others before her own and this time is no exception! They were nominated by a family member who said Lynn’s “kindness makes her an example to the rest of us who take life for granted. Every day she wakes up knowing that tests and trials will impact her situation in some way. She somehow manages to smile and keep her faith that everything will work out fine. This mindset has afforded her a peace of mind that makes kindness seem her second nature. While she is suffering her own health issues and has her own fair share of troubles, she keeps a positive attitude and outlook. Somehow she finds the courage to face each new day knowing how scary it is to be a single parent to three small energetic kids, but that’s where her joy comes from.” The stress of caring for the children’s needs on a fixed income has been extremely hard as she makes sure every dollar counts as she battles her own health issues. These three wonderful children and their grandmother deserve a Merry Little Christmas!

The Thomson family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Harvey Family:

The Harvey Family: Sabrena (mom), Tyrique (18), Jaylen (16), and Ayden (9) are asking you to help them have a Merry Christmas. Sabrena recently lost her job due to caring for Ayden. He is suffering from asthma and is a newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic. He has been in the ICU and in and out of the hospital. This has created a financial hardship for the family and Sabrena would love to surprise her children with some Christmas gifts!

The Harvey family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Turner Family:

Sarah is a single mother of four (William 16, Braedon 15, Cecily 14 and Colton 5) after her husband was killed in a motorcycle accident in March. They are all struggling to find their footing without him. They were nominated by a friend who told us “Sarah has lost her other half and the kids are lost trying to find their place in this world without him. Watching Sarah try to navigate this life without him is hard. She still wants to do it all, she has done everything she can to help shield them as much as she can. If there is a way to take any burden off of her.... nothing but time will give them peace, but a few smiles along the way would help.”

The Turner family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Aguilar Family:

The Aguilar Family is Ana, Edgar, and their four children ages 14 ,10, 3, and 8. Ana recently had heart surgery, and the family is struggling financially to get back on their feet. They need a Christmas miracle. According to the person who nominated them, “these wonderful people go to my church and are so sweet and always first to volunteer in the community.”

The Aguilar family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Morgan Family:

The Morgan Family is Lynn (grandmother) and her grandchildren, a 2-year old girl and 11-year old boy. Lynn’s daughter, the children’s mother, was killed in an auto accident, leaving her to care for the young children. Lynn was a single mom, and is now taking on that role once again while the children deal with the sudden loss of their mother. Lynn is a part-time employee at a local school, so income is limited. The family is devastated over the loss and would love to see the children smile again!

The Morgan family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

The Cline Family:

The Cline Family is Aaron (dad), Casey (mom) and Luna (2 and a half years old). Aaron is a firefighter for Dekalb County Fire Rescue, at one of the busiest stations in the county. Last month, the Cline family home caught fire and they lost everything. Aaron has worked at Dekalb County for years, protecting families’ properties and saving loved ones. They were nominated by one of Aaron’s fellow firefighters who told us, “he is truly a great human and he gives so much. I just want to give him the best holidays possible with what is going on in his life.”

The Cline family’s gift registry has been fulfilled, but you can still send donations via E-Gift Cards for Walmart, Amazon or Target to Christmas@B985.com.

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