The holidays are a tough time for many families in our area as people struggle to find jobs and keep them in our economy.
One Medford family is not giving up hope and trying to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas after both losing their jobs.
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care but because of hard times the Van Hoy family isn’t sure if Saint Nicholas will soon be there.
“Just after thanksgiving we ended up losing our jobs within three weeks of each other,” said Erin Van Hoy.
And now the two parents say putting presents under the tree this Christmas will be a struggle. Both Erin Van Hoy and his wife Janette were let go, after missing too much work because of recent flare ups in Janette’s diabetes.
“I was the only one running the whole store, so if i wasn’t there, the store wasn’t open,” said Janette Van Hoy.
“Between that and the family, her health went awry,” Erin Van Hoy.
So Erin stayed home to take care of the family. Both are now healthy and searching for work. All while trying to keep a roof over their heads.
“We pretty much have to have jobs by the first of the year, otherwise we may have to end up moving out of here next month.”
The Van Hoy’s daughters Taylor and Madison understand their parents’ struggle but like all girls their age they still have a Christmas list.
“Gift cards so that I could do my own shopping, the biggest thing I want is a phone,” said Taylor and Madison.
Meantime, the family is taking things one day at a time, trying to put presents under the tree and taking advantage of all the help they can get, saying while this Christmas may not be the best, they at least have each other.
Both Erin and Janette are looking for any work they can get, they each have experience in a number of fields. If you know of any job openings, or would like to help the family you can contact them by e-mail at [email protected] or you can call them at 541-941-8280.
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