Operation Noel to donate thousands of jackets to kids in need

Christmas Day is only a few weeks away.

For many it’s time to head out Christmas shopping but for some parents across the borderland things may not be so simple — especially for those out of work.

On a Friday evening, Yvette Reyes serves up dinner for her two boys 11-year-old Nathaniel and 9-year-old Isaac.

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“I was working at Food City and I left for a medical reason in 2015, and I was out on family medical leave,” Yvette Reyes.

Reyes was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety.

“It’s overwhelming because you have so much to take care of the kids, so it’s stressful,” Reyes told ABC-7.

Reyes found work the next year but eventually got laid off and fell behind on her bills.

“All my bills are backed up right now. I had disconnections but I’ll make small payments. I have yard sales,” Reyes said.

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On top of that, her car broke down and she didn’t have the money to get it fixed.

“I was taking the kids to school on the bus. We had to get up a 5:00 in the morning for like two months,” Reyes said.

Reyes told ABC-7 they had a good Thanksgiving thanks to a higher power.

“At the church they donated to us … they donated a turkey,” Reyes said.

Reyes said the kids are healthy and they do well in school — they receive A and B honor roll awards and she’s proud of them but the upcoming holidays bring anxiety.

“More because of the Christmas holiday … they want a lot of stuff but they don’t understand they can’t have everything they want,” Reyes said.

Despite the current hardship Reyes assures her boys better times will come around.

“I do try to show them sometimes we can do things and sometimes we can’t. Once we can you guys will be fine,” Reyes tells the boys.