Santa Has Rudolph’s Red Nose; Javiers Have Police Lights

Santa Claus had Rudolph’s bright red nose to lead the way, but the Salvation Army Haverhill Corps Community Center has the flashing blue lights of Haverhill Police cruisers.

Thursday morning, Salvation Army Corps Officer Captain Marion Hardy had a flashing lights police escort to take toys and gifts to the Javier family of Haverhill. Over the past year, Mrs. Javier lost her vision, leading to many challenges for her family of five. Her husband works nights at the deli counter at a local grocery store. The family reached out to the Salvation Army when a paperwork mix-up last month resulted in them not receiving the full amount of their monthly disability check. They paid their bills for December with what they had, but that didn’t leave any extra funds to buy gifts and Christmas dinner for their three children aged 13, 10 and 8.

“We help hundreds of families in need year-round in Haverhill, and especially at Christmas time,” Hardy said. “Our goal is to make sure every child has something under the tree on Christmas morning. When a family has gone through what the Javiers have, we try to go above and beyond to make sure Christmas is bright, after the difficult year they have had.”

Without supporters like the Haverhill Police Department, Hardy says, none of this would be possible.

Miranda, 7, has undergone several heart surgeries in her young life and will require more before she reaches adulthood. “You would never know it,” Hardy says, “Miranda’s smile will melt your heart as she tries to help her Mom and keeps a positive attitude.”

Older brother, Kaleb, helps around the house at night when his father goes to work and helps look after his younger brother and sister, particularly when the Javiers have medical and other appointments.