Hope's Helping Hand extends to local family

The holiday season is about giving, and Hope's Helping Hand tries to help others through the generosity of the community.

The program, run by the Frontiersman each year, helps people through difficult times.

The goal is to help those who need a boost, and each holiday season, the program has been a rousing success.

Donations often pour into the program, and in turn, those donations are given to families in need -- there are no administrative costs, and all the donations go to help.

This holiday season, one local family's mind isn't even on Christmas. Recently, the parents' daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, and had to go to Seattle to Children's Hospital for treatment. Right now, the 9-year-old girl is in Seattle with one of her grandmothers at the Ronald McDonald House, while receiving treatment at the Children's Hospital.

The mother and father also have two other children, ages 12 and 10. They are juggling frequent trips to Seattle as well as taking care of their children here at home.

Because of the frequent trips and the cost associated with extended stays in Seattle, monetary donations are extremely helpful.

People can also donate their air mileage to the family for use in purchasing airline tickets to be with their daughter in Seattle.

Kelly Marre, who often works with families of children diagnosed with leukemia, said families often need quite a bit of support.

"Mileage for tickets, phone cards, just about anything is appreciated," said Marre. "There is a lot of expenses while you are down there."

The family moved to the Valley about a year ago, Marre said.

Donating to the program is simple -- you can bring items to the Frontiersman office, located on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, near Hyer Road.

You can also mail donations, made payable to "Hope's Helping Hand," to the Frontiersman at 5751 East Mayflower Ct., Wasilla, AK 99687.

For more information about the Hope's Helping Hand program, people can contact Kari Sleight, publisher of the Frontiersman, at 352-2250.