WHO: Patricia, a mother of three, New London area

AGENCY: Catholic Charities, an agency in New London that serves individuals and families experiencing a crisis or who are unable to meet immediate basic needs.

SITUATION: Patricia and her husband learned last December that one of their sons has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a condition that prohibits him from attending school and requires intensive medical treatments. A month later, the husband was laid off from his job of 20 years. In July, he took another job at one-third of his former salary. Patricia is unable to look for work because of her son's condition. She says the family has depleted its savings and is financially overwhelmed.

WHAT TO GIVE: Gift cards for winter clothes, groceries and toys for twin boys, 8, and a girl, 11.

TO DONATE: Contact Rosalinda Bazinet, Catholic Charities, 28 Huntington St., New London, (860) 443-5328