Mother forced to flee wants cheer under tree

A woman who moved to Aiken wants something that will make this Christmas cheerful for her children.

"I was relocated to the state for protection from an abusive husband," she writes. "I had a good job in Minnesota, a nice home, nice things, and my kids had all they needed. I was given three days to move here and arrived with only a few things in bags because I chose to protect my children and myself and remove us from the abuse.

"I now have a family with my church, and without them, who knows where I'd be?

"If you could please help me have something under the tree it would help my children have a Merry Christmas."

The Augusta Chronicle 's Empty Stocking Fund has helped people in need for 78 years. Last year, a record $123,000 was raised, helping more than 1,776 families.