Army helps Kentucky family with Christmas

Army helps Kentucky family with Christmas
By Misty Maynard - The Ledger Independent via AP
Posted : Friday Dec 23, 2011 15:36:32 EST
MAYSVILLE, Ky. — Santa came a little early this year for Donna Lewis and her three children, courtesy of the Army.

Lewis’ fiancée, Staff Sgt. Kevin Henning, died in June from cancer.

Although in college, Lewis has not worked full-time since 2007. She was borrowing money to pay bills and knew she would be limited when it came to buy Christmas presents for her children: 17-year-old Matthew Stevens, 14-year-old Tony Fite and 4-year-old Kaelynn Henning.

Sgt. 1st Class Charles Wake is the casualty assistance officer who helped with the funeral and paperwork after Henning’s death.

Lewis said the holidays might be a little slim this year when he asked about Christmas.

“He said, ‘Oh no you’re not,’ ” Lewis said.

Wake collected donations, purchased presents and delivered them to Lewis’ children in a van Wednesday. An Orangeburg Volunteer Fire Department truck escorted the van, with lights flashing.

“Where’s the fire?” Fite asked.

The rear van doors opened wide and revealed a pile of brightly wrapped presents, and one item without wrapping: a bicycle.
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