Holiday Helpers

A Season of Hope: How Holiday Helpers Transformed One FRCC Student's Journey

When Maria enrolled at Front Range Community College, she was determined to build a better future for herself and her two young children. Balancing school, work, and parenting was a constant struggle, but she pushed forward, fueled by the dream of earning a degree and providing her family the stability they deserved.

As the holiday season approached, Maria’s financial worries grew. Her part-time job barely covered rent and groceries, leaving nothing for holiday gifts. She dreaded the thought of her children waking up to an empty tree on Christmas morning, their excitement fading into disappointment. This weight threatened to overshadow her academic success.

Then, she received an email about the Holiday Helpers Program. With a mix of hope and hesitation, she submitted her children’s wish lists. She didn’t expect much, but the thought that someone might care was enough to lift her spirits.

A week later, Maria was called to the Advising Office, where she was handed a collection of beautifully wrapped gifts, each labeled with her children's names. Tears filled her eyes as she realized her kids would have a magical holiday. Among the gifts were books, toys, and warm winter clothes—items she could never have afforded alone.

The impact of this simple act of kindness was profound. Maria felt supported, seen, and connected to the FRCC community for the first time in months. The gifts brightened her children's holiday and renewed her determination to succeed in school. She saw the generosity of strangers as a reminder of why she was pursuing her education—to one day give back and help others in need.

The holiday joy fueled her through finals, and her grades reflected her renewed focus. In the following semesters, Maria applied for scholarships, joined a campus support group for single parents, and even volunteered at the Wolf Pantry to help other students facing hardships. Eventually, she earned her degree in Early Childhood Education and secured a teaching job, providing her family with the stability she once only dreamed of.

Today, Maria often reflects on that pivotal holiday season. “Holiday Helpers didn’t just give my kids gifts,” she says. “It gave us hope, which carried me through some of the toughest moments of my life. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone, which made all the difference.”

Maria’s story is just one of many that illustrate the powerful impact of the Holiday Helpers Program. By providing holiday gifts, we’re not just brightening a season—we’re empowering students to stay focused on their education and build a brighter future for their families.