A 36-year-old Graniteville woman buried her husband a month ago and is asking for help to put a smile on her children's faces.

She just began working last month so there isn't enough money to do that on her own, she said.

"It has been really rough on us," she wrote.

Contributions to The Augusta Chronicle's Empty Stocking Fund go to help families like this one. Last year, the charity raised a record-breaking $122,000, which went to more than 1,250 families.

Contributions can be mailed to Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903-1928, or delivered to the security station in the News Building at 725 Broad St. Donations also can be made online at www.augustachronicle.com/emptystocking.

The Empty Stocking Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization; donations are tax-deductible. The deadline to submit an application for help has passed.