(Editor’s note: The names of the family members have been
changed to protect their privacy.)

Denise Peterson is thankful her husband, James, is still
alive.

James Peterson was injured in a work-related injury at an area
factory in June. The injury has left him unable to work since
then.

“We’re lucky it didn’t kill him,” Denise Peterson said.

The type of the injury and where he works isn’t being disclosed
to protect the Petersons’ privacy.

Her husband has spent the past few months recovering from his
injury and anxiously awaiting approval from his doctor to return to
work. But the Petersons have been struggling with finances since
James Peterson became injured. He began receiving his workers’
compensation checks almost two months after his injury and his
wife’s part-time income wasn’t enough to pay the bills.

The family applied to the ELF (Era’s Less Fortunate) Fund this
year to make sure their two daughters, Amy and Sarah, have a happy
Christmas.

“We just needed the extra help this year,” Denise Peterson
said.

The family has been living paycheck to paycheck since James
Peterson’s injury and fell behind on rent and bills. But the family
lost its ACCESS cards and food stamps once the workers’
compensation kicked in, as the money put their income level just
over the threshold for those programs, Denise Peterson said.

The Peterson’s have had to borrow money from their parents for
things as small as bread and milk and have even picked up food from
the local food bank, Denise Peterson said. James Peterson has done
some work around the house and the landlord has knocked off some of
the rent.

“We are just now getting caught up with the rent,” Denise
Peterson said.

She is hopeful that her husband will be approved to go back to
work at his upcoming doctor’s appointment.

“(Not working) has been driving him nuts,” Denise Peterson said.
“He wants to go back to work. He’s ready.”

But his job may not be there by that time.

“(The company) is laying off, so he doesn’t even know if he has
a job when he goes back,” Denise Peterson said. “He may have to
look for more work.”

Peterson said she has been picking up some gifts for her
daughters. They are both asking for Be-Bratz dolls and Rescue Pets
figures this year. Her daughters have been very understanding about
the financial situation and haven’t asked for a lot this year,
Peterson said.

“I try and get what they want and that’s all I can do,” she
said.

All she wants for Christmas is to make sure her daughters are
happy, Peterson said. Her and her husband don’t buy for each other
anymore, but focus on buying for their daughters.

“Christmas isn’t for me anymore,” she said. “It’s all for my
kids.”