Anita Gallegos, center, and her family. Back row: Gabriel Gallegos, 12; Anita's grandson Christopher Villasenor, 3; Esther Gallegos, 10; Rebecca Gallegos, 16. Front row: Anna Gallegos, 13, with her 3-month-old son, Gabriel; Anita; and Naomi Alvarado, 21, with her daughter, Cassandra Villasenor, 1.

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THE WISH: GROCERY VOUCHERS, BIKES, A CHRISTMAS TREE AND TOYS

Widowed grandmother works hard to keep family together

it's hard for Anita Gallegos to feel hopeful these days. At 38, she is already a grandmother and a widow. With five children of her own, and now three grandchildren, all living with her, her full-time job as a receptionist for the non-profit Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County barely covers her mortgage. Since the death of her husband in May, Anita says she just hasn't been able to get back on her feet.

Two years ago, Anita and her husband achieved their dream of buying a home in San Jose. But when the hepatitis he had contracted years earlier led to liver damage, her husband had to quit his job as a gardener; the family income plummeted.

``The thing is, just because you make less, your needs and your children's needs don't go away,'' Anita says during a brief lunch break from her busy job at the front desk. Every day she assists people with a variety of needs, many times connecting them with vital services that ease their problems. Her own problems, though, have only gotten worse in recent months.

``I wish I could just go like this,'' she says, wiggling her nose with an index finger, ``and make it all better like the magic on TV. I think the stress is making me sick. I just feel so tired all the time.''

Her children, four girls and one boy, range in age from 10 to 21. The three grandchildren go through a great amount of diapers and formula. The older children are trying to get jobs, but with the two teenage fathers of the grandchildren unable to help, Anita is the sole provider for the entire household. She is dreading the first holidays without her husband.

``I've already told everyone there won't be any gifts this year,'' she says, rubbing her eyes.

Grocery vouchers ($50 each) (4A) would help put food on the table and provide a supply of diapers. Department store gift certificates ($25 each) (4B) would allow the family to shop for warm winter clothing, shoes and school gear. Three of the kids would love to have bikes ($75 each) (4C). A Christmas tree ($35) (4D) would bring a little cheer. And a few toys and games under it ($150) (4E) would make the holidays warmer for all.

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