School Shooting Survivor Gets a Christmas with Her Children

"My daughter wanted a bracelet-maker!" Leah exclaimed yesterday, when looking through some of the many items donated for her children's Christmas.

I first met Leah six months ago at one of the homeless encampments in Minneapolis. She shared her traumatic story of surviving and witnessing the carnage of the Red Lake school shooting in 2005. She was in 9th grade.

She was hit by a bullet, but it's been the emotional wounds that have since caused the most struggle. In July, she also shared about her up-and-down life since that event, including the up of having four beautiful children but the down of struggling to be there for them.

This Christmas, however, she'll be there for them in a big way.

For my nonprofit's holiday giving this year, Leah's family was an easy choice. And it was made all the more serendipitous by something else she said.

"This will be the first Christmas with all my children," she reflected. "I was saving money to buy them all gifts. Now I have all these, too! Thank you so much!"

We'll pass along this thank you especially to our supporters Kara, Mickey, and Brenda for making these food and gift contributions.

And to Leah, her family, and to all our supporters and all you reading this message: Merry Christmas!