BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — A special letter from a young boy addressed to Santa capturing the heartbreak of domestic violence on families.
In the letter posted on Facebook, a 7-year-old Texas boy named Blake is asking for Santa to bring him a quote "very, very, very good dad".
The boy writes about how his mother had to leave to take her children to a safe place away from his father and asks Santa if he will be coming this Christmas.
Here in Western New York there are many children finding themselves in similar situations, Bbut thanks to the generosity of the local community, families living at the Haven House will have presents on Christmas morning.
Donations continue to arrive at the office of Child & Family Services of Buffalo.
Outside of Child and Family Services on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, Kip Williams of South Buffalo stepped out of his pick-up truck to unload toys and gifts for families living at Haven House.
“Haven House – those families I feel for and I want those kids and those women to know that somebody really cares about them,” Williams said.
Williams started his own private charity and many of his friends give donated items for those living in the domestic violence shelter.
“They’re going through a pretty dark time in their lives somebody needs to bring them some light – that’s why,” Williams responded.
Another round of items also arrived for Haven House. Shirley Wollenberger of Depew says an organization at her church collects toys and clothing.
“It’s heartbreaking – it is,” remarked Wollenberger. "We have blankets and pillows and things that they need. Lots of coats, boots and gloves."
Child & Family Services had a van filling up with items that will be transported to Haven House.
The organization provides the Haven House shelter at an undisclosed location. It is a safe haven for families suffering from an abuser.
Lauren Gorlick is community relations coordinator for Haven House.
“Not only are they coming with just the cloths on their back, but the mother is coming without any Christmas gifts or gifts for the holidays,” Gorlick explains.
Gorlick says like the Texas boy, whose mom was seeking safety, other young children also worry about getting gifts from Santa.
“I’m familiar with child who was worried that Santa wasn’t going to make it he wasn’t know where haven house was to drop off the gifts and Christmas morning rolled around and Santa came,” recalled Gorlick.
Gorlick says Haven House has been filled to capacity with families the last couple of months and unfortunately domestic violence has been on the rise.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing this trend on the rise, but it has been on the rise for the past couple of months and we are expecting to see it continue to rise,” Gorlick noted
Anyone needed assistance can contact the Haven House hotline 24/7 at 716-884–6000.
Other resources are also available in the region:
: 716-558-7233
: 1-800-799-7233
1-888-696-9211
: 716-862-4357
