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The United Way is accepting donations - including, but not limited to, clothing, food, furniture, toys and money - for the families of this series. To donate, call (956) 279-9047, (956) 279-9048 or (956) 279-9049 or mail to United Way, P.O. Box 187, McAllen Tx. 78505. You can also make an online donation on the United Way of South Texas website at www.unitedwayofsotx.org. The United Way of South Texas is located at 1200 E. Hackberry, Suite F in McAllen. The Monitor is not accepting donations.

12 Days contributions lower than years past

Jeremy Roebuck

The United Way is accepting donations - including, but not limited to, clothing, food, furniture, toys and money - for the families of this series. To donate, call (956) 279-9047, (956) 279-9048 or (956) 279-9049 or mail to United Way, P.O. Box 187,... Full story

(Day 12 ) 'God doesn't give you more than you can handle'

Miriam Ramirez

DONNA — There are days when Manuel Soto can’t bear the pain that shoots through his body. There are days he lays defeated, stricken by throbbing aches in his back and numbness in his feet. Often, Soto would rather struggle with the... Full story

(Day 11) Little Miracles

Single mother wants better life for her sons

Jennifer L. Berghom

MISSION — Martha Tijerina corrals three of her sons to the kitchen table so they can begin their homework. After they finish, the boys — Nicolas, Joshua and Christopher Vargas — rush out of their seats to resume their game of... Full story

(Day 10) Family's 'little princess' stricken with leukemia

Travis Whitehead

PHARR — Marcela Ortuño pulled out another bill, this one from a collection agency for nearly $2,000. “Our previous written notification to you concerning the debt(s) referenced below has not received an adequate response,” read... Full story

(Day 9) 'At least we're alive'

A family struggles to survive after a fire took their home

Jason McDaniel

EDINBURG — Norma Reyna hasn’t purchased a Christmas present yet. And unless something drastic happens, she probably won’t. Instead, she has spent the last two weeks frantically gathering donations and pooling her family’s... Full story

(Day 8) Parents hope for miracle for their little angel

Paige Lauren Deiner

Doctors didn’t expect Lorenzo Tamez to live four days. He has lived four months. Doctors asked his parents to sign a “do not resuscitate” form. They refused. Lorenzo has flat-lined four times. And four times, he has survived.... Full story

(Day 7) Children of Fate

A young, single mother struggles to rear six children

Sara Perkins

McALLEN — Watching Amanda Gossett lever herself off the couch is painful. At 30, she’s young and of average build. But she moves like a weaker, heavier woman, straining to take pressure off her abdomen, where eight staples are holding... Full story

(Day 6) Embers to Ashes

Little hope remains after house fire devastates family

Jeremy Roebuck

MISSION — It only takes an instant for a life to change forever. Griselda Peña knows that all too well. One minute, she was feeding her cats, cooking breakfast for her family and quietly grinning over the good news she received that morning... Full story

(Day 5) 'It will only get worse.'

Without treatment, Axel Aguilar could lose the use of his legs

Kyle Arnold

CITRUS CITY — Cold winter mornings are excruciating on Axel Aguilar’s weakened right leg. Lying on the queen-sized inflatable mattress the 7-year-old shares with his parents, brother and sister, the joint in Axel’s right hip and... Full story

(Day 4) In the face of tragedy

The Velas — with one blind son and one deaf one — come together

Ryan Holeywell

ALAMO — Raul Vela can’t stand hearing Johnny Cash. It’s nothing personal against the singer. After all, his 19-year-old son, Raul Jr., loves the Man in Black. But that’s the problem. (Watch "The Vela Family," a Monitor... Full story

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