ADAMS FAMILY
Caregiver long on heart, short on resources
UPDATE: The widow who is raising her four children in addition to three of her late sister’s children and two of another sister’s kids was the first nominee to be impacted by the community’s generosity. A private donor from Palm Beach paid the back taxes on her Belle Glade home, days before it went to public auction. She has also received a Ford minivan, clothing, toys for the children and help with food.
Nominated by Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County.
By CARLOS FRIAS
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
BELLE GLADE - Vera Adams stepped up for her family even in the face of tragedy.
Widowed and left with four children six years ago, she did not hesitate to move in to help her great-aunt, who had cancer and Alzheimer’s, until her passing. When one of her sisters died of cancer last year, Adams took on the care of her three children. And when another sister relapsed into drug use this year, Adams took on her two children as well.
In the meantime, she lost one of her sons, Rodrick, an honors student, in a car accident this summer. He was 14. Now living in what was her great-aunt’s house, she risked losing the roof over her head because her aunt owed $8,000 in property taxes. The house was set to go for public auction Dec. 1, but after her story appeared in The Post last week, a private donor pledged to pay the back taxes.
Adams spends her days washing, cooking and cleaning for eight children, picking them up from school, and making sure all the homework is done. But her home still needs extensive repairs for hurricane-damaged windows and kitchen cabinets. Adams also could use new bunk beds for the children and a vehicle to accommodate all of them.
“It’s been hard, but God sees me through it,” said Adams, 42. “We’re still here. And we’re standing.”
VERA’S WISH
Her home still needs extensive repairs for hurricane-damaged windows and kitchen cabinets. Adams also could use new bunk beds for the children and a new van to transport them to school.
NOMINATED BY
Farm worker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County, 1313 Central Terrace, Lake Worth, FL 33460. (561) 533-7227 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (561) 533-7227 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
| Share | Tweet |
Would you like to help? Click here to donate.
Please spread the word about this story:
God Bless! on 29 Nov 2010 at 2:47 pm #
Ms. Vera has taken on more then her share and God will bless her. But imagine, taking in all those kids and taking care of her own and not being able to get around with them all or even clothe and furnish them comfortably. I know the listing says new van or new bunkbeds but I am sure she will receive whatever kindness comes her way. I pray that all goes well with this family because she has unknownigly witnessed to me. God bless you.
S Lang on 30 Nov 2010 at 1:29 pm #
I would like to donate the bunkbeds that she needs for her children. How do I go about doing that?
Carlos Frias on 01 Dec 2010 at 12:15 am #
Hello S Lang. If you wish to donate the bunk beds, that’s an incredibly nice thing to offer! Please contact my editor, Liz Balmaseda at lbalmaseda@pbpost.com. She’ll put you in contact with the appropriate person to make that happen. Thank you!
a Pringle on 01 Dec 2010 at 1:01 pm #
I would like to donate cothes for the little boys. Need to know their sizes.
Becky on 02 Dec 2010 at 3:14 pm #
How do you go about donating for the different families on Season to Share?
Lee on 03 Dec 2010 at 10:17 am #
Please let us know what this family needs most urgently as well as other families. I have a few pieces of furniture, including 2 single beds, that I can donate.
Bonnie on 13 Dec 2010 at 9:28 pm #
I have suggested that my family, in lieu of gifts to each other this year, that we make our ‘gifts’ to needy families such as this one. Vera Adams has love despite having endured incredible obstacles. She needs the gift of ‘hope’ & ‘encouragement’. I hope others do the same … every $1 counts. I also think that giving should continue beyound the holidays so if there is a way .. let other know.
God Bless.
Esmeralda on 20 Dec 2010 at 2:13 pm #
hi i now how u feel i cant buy anything for my kids either.i have 4 boys and they r gonna have nothing for christmas.and they dont have beds to sleep in either.
PONYBOY LIVE on 23 Dec 2010 at 6:49 am #
I KNOW HER SHE IS A GOOD GOOD PERSON I WILL HELP TO!
MICHELE on 16 Apr 2012 at 11:05 am #
I THINK MS. ADAMS IS WONDERFUL TO TAKE SO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY FOR RAISING THOSE CHILDREN. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND NOT IN FINANCIAL POSITION TO DONATE MONEY BUT I PRAY FOR THAT OUTSTANDING LADY AND HER CHILDREN. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!