The countdown until Christmas is now on.

There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Subscribe now to receive:

There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Subscribe now to receive:

There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

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The kids are done school until the new year. The rush is underway to finish the shopping, buy groceries, and finalize all the little details that will make the holidays special for our loved ones.

This is supposed to be a festive time of year, but it can also be hectic with the jam-packed schedule of social events and the expense of putting all those presents under the tree. Truth be told, it can sometimes feel like we’re spending money we don’t have on things we don’t need for people who already have a lot.

So imagine then, what Christmas feels like if you don’t have much. If you already struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over your head, trying to afford a nice holiday meal or treats to stuff in stockings must be incredibly stressful — if not downright overwhelming.

This is the case for many of the Montrealers The Gazette Christmas Fund helps every year.

Sarah is a de facto single mother whose 12-year-old son has autism. Caring for him is a full-time job while she waits to be reunited with her husband back in Algeria.

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