Women of Worth has 25 local families who need help for Christmas, but the nonprofit that helps people get back on their feet has not been able to find enough angels this year.

Here are stories of three families who have asked WOW for help:

Mother, survivor, teacher

“I am a single mother of three. I am a domestic violence/rape survivor. My ex-husband kidnapped me, terrorized me and kicked my stomach until I miscarried our unborn child.

“Even though I feel as though I have been to hell and back, my past is not my destiny. I went to school, got an education and am now a teacher.

“I have three of the best children a woman can ask for. All my income is used to pay the bills and purchase the minimums. Please adopt my children. They have been through a lot.”

Lost babies, lost home

“My wife and I have had a very hard year. I am currently on disability. We have gone from a furnished home to an empty apartment. It took all of our income to move our family in hopes of a better life.

“We lost twin boys this year in childbirth. My wife barely survived. Our hearts are saddened that we never got to know them.

“We would like to put something under a tree for our other children, but can't even manage the extra money to purchase that.”

Reluctant to ask for help

“This year we have gone from living in a four-bedroom home, driving a new car and having a new baby to being homeless and living in a van that was given to use.

“It added to our financial stress when my sister was tragically killed. Our parents recently gave up their savings to get us into an apartment.

“My husband is doing odd jobs, and I am doing some housecleaning and babysitting to help. Every bit of income is gone before it comes in!

“We have always been givers, and it is hard to ask for help, but we are struggling and don't know what else to do.”

How to be an angel

If you have a church, group or organization that is looking to provide help to a local family this year, please contact Women of Worth for details about adopting a local family. They ask that Christmas angels bring at least two new gifts for each member of the family.

Families are asking for the basics: Pajamas, blankets, hooded sweatshirts, learning toys for young children and gift cards for gasoline, groceries and clothes. They also need warm clothes for women, men and children of all ages.

Other gift ideas include postage stamps and envelopes, women's and children's socks, home tool kits, auto emergency kits, 2010 planners, twin sheet sets and twin comforters.

WOW needs gifts to be returned by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14. They have several drop-off locations:

• Grass Valley:

The Union, 464 Sutton Way (Glenbrook Basin)

Old Barn Self-Storage, 175 Spring Hill Drive

Curves For Women, 992 Plaza Drive (Glenbrook Basin)

• Penn Valley:

Wildwood Self Storage, 18800 Pine Shadow Lane

Highway 20 Self Storage, 17212 Cattle Drive

• South county and Auburn:

Century 21 Foothill Realty, 10063 Combie Road

Shear Madness, 10564 Combie Road

Pre Plastics, 12600 Locksley Lane

• To contact Women of Worth: (530) 272-6851 and (530) 878-1183; info@women-of-worth.org; Women-of-Worth.org; P.O. Box 213; Cedar Ridge, CA 95945. The office is at 143-F Spring Hill Drive, Grass Valley.

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Sharla Cartzdafner is The Union's human resources director.