After a debilitating accident and a recent move, Michelle Williams’ budget has been tight.
But a one-time gift from the Times Free Press Neediest Case Fund has allowed her to give her daughters a good Christmas.
“I’m a single mom with three little ones, and I got hit by a dump truck, so I’m waiting for my disability,” Williams said in a phone call.
The resident of Rhea County said she heard about the fund from a woman at a gas station who also received a gift from the fund.
“It’s made it easy to put up money for Christmas,” Williams said. “It’s helped me out a lot.”
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About a year ago, she moved from White Pine, Tennessee, with her three daughters, ages 9, 7 and 6, to be closer to family after her accident. Williams’ mother lives in Roane County, she said.
The accident occurred in 2018 while she was driving with her three daughters in Spring City, she said. Though her children escaped injury, Williams said the collision with a dump truck caused severe injuries to her right hip, arm and hand.
She said she had to learn to walk again and still has trouble walking and writing.
From the settlement she received after her accident, she was able to buy a home. But that left little money for extras, Williams said.
Even with the gift, the holidays have been challenging for the family. Williams said her family is dealing with strep throat. First, 6-year-old Shyla had it, and then Williams caught a case of strep throat that has led to pneumonia.
But despite the illnesses, she said her family is grateful for the gift.
“It’s all because of the United Way that I was actually proud and excited to put our tree up,” Williams said. “I was able to take the money I would have had to get for the water and electricity and put some back for Christmas presents.”
She said she didn’t want to put her face out in the media, but shared a photograph of her girls to emphasize what the Neediest Cases Fund has done to help improve her girls’ lives. The gift has restored some of her faith in humanity, Williams said.
(READ MORE: Neediest Cases helps Cleveland family start fresh after move from Florida)
The Times Free Press Neediest Cases Fund was started in 1914 by Adolph Ochs, then the publisher of The Chattanooga Times. The fund receives donations from Times Free Press readers, and the money is administered and distributed to individuals and families in need by the United Way of Greater Chattanooga and partner agencies.
Recipients must be working or on a fixed income and be able to demonstrate ongoing stability and self-sufficiency after receiving Neediest Cases funds. According to United Way figures, the Neediest Cases Fund took in more than $57,000 last year.
Contact Andrew Wilkins at awilkins@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.
Submitted Photo / Michelle Williams’ three daughters, Shyla, 6, Mackenzie, 9 and Makayla, 7, pose for a photo in front of their Christmas tree. Williams said she was able to give her girls a good Christmas thanks to a gift from the Neediest Case Fund.