Sister's family is in a bind

A Martinez woman is requesting help -- not for herself, but for her sister, brother-in-law and three nieces.

"They are in such a bind right now," she writes. "I just don't see how Christmas will come for them. They are expecting to be kicked out of their house any day, and my sister is scheduled for surgery this month, and my brother-in-law in January.

"They rent a car because they don't have one in good running order. They have a truck, but it doesn't have reverse.

"I don't know how they are going to have a Christmas this year without your help," she writes. "I would love to help them more, myself, but me and my family are living from paycheck to paycheck."

The Augusta Chronicle 's Empty Stocking Fund has helped people in need for 78 years. Last year, the charity raised a record-breaking $123,000, which went to more than 1,776 families.