When Who Can We Help? heard about Mayfair’s Laura Lyons and family, the nonprofit went all out to make it a merry Christmas for them.
Lyons was in need during the Christmas holidays, due in part to a job injury suffered by her longtime boyfriend and the delayed compensation.
Lyons has an adult son and a 12-year-old daughter, Alana, and is raising her 4-year-old nephew, Kai.
Lyons wrote a letter to the office of City Councilman Mike Driscoll, asking if they knew of anyone who could offer help.
Driscoll’s office reached out to Dave “Dazer” Clavin, of Sprinkler Fitters Local 692, but the union had already delivered all its Toys for Tots gifts to the Ronald McDonald House near Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Still, Clavin wanted to find a way to help.
“That’s what it’s all about, giving back,” he said.
Clavin, of Torresdale, had recently met Dan Gilman, who founded Who Can We Help? in 2019, and has the backing of a board of directors.
A carpenter and Kensington native, Gilman said he’s received help in his life.
“Now, I’m able to give back, locally, right in the community,” he said.
Gilman, who recently traveled to New York for an appearance on the Drew Barrymore Show, encourages other people like Lyons to reach out to charities.
“A lot of times, people don’t want to ask for help,” he said.
On the evening of Dec. 20, Clavin and Gilman delivered numerous gifts to Lyons, Alana and Kai.
“They’re going to be very happy. They’re going to love all this,” Lyons said as the gifts were brought into the house.
The items included Applebee’s gift cards, candy, stocking stuffers, clothes, a ham, a sausage, cheese and crackers tray, headphones for Alana and monster trucks, Hot Wheels and Connect Four for Kai.
“He’s in heaven right now,” Lyons said of Kai.
“Merry Christmas to you,” said Clavin, who described the letter written by Lyons as “heartwarming,” adding that it made him feel good to be part of the effort.
Lyons, who was planning to take the kids to the Macy’s Christmas light show and village the following day, was overwhelmed by the dozens of gifts for Alana and Kai.
“I just wanted them to have a gift or two,” she said. “We appreciate it so much. It means a lot because I didn’t think I’d be able to have a Christmas this year.”
Who Can We Help? assists people in the Philadelphia area year round, particularly at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and back-to-school season.
To support the charity, go to https://whocanwehelp.org/#donate ••
