Financial hardships and medical emergencies this year made it seem like the Mitchell family of Tooele wasn’t going to be able to provide gifts for their children to open on Christmas morning. That will change however, if Transcript-Bulletin readers can open their hearts to this family in need.

The Mitchells are the Tooele Transcript-Bulletin Christmas Benefit Fund family for 2008, and the deadline for donations to help them is only one week away.

Michael, 30, is hard of hearing and his wife, 32-year-old Marsha, is deaf. The couple has three children: daughter Aleisha, 7; and sons Isaac, 6, and Skyler, 3.

For seven years, Michael was working two jobs to provide for his family. But when he quit Wal-Mart and later lost a job at UPS, things took an even tougher turn. Just a few weeks after being out of work, Michael was found by his daughter unresponsive at his home in Tooele. He remained in a light coma for two weeks and spent another two weeks in the University of Utah Hospital recovering.

His body was overworked and he was severely dehydrated. The medication he was on also caused his kidneys to shut down, resulting in him being put on dialysis for another two months.

In addition to Michael’s medical issues, Marsha has had medical problems as well. Last year her tonsils and gallbladder had to be removed.

All the medical bills have taken a toll on the struggling family’s finances.

A month after returning home from the hospital, Michael got a job as a butcher as Maceys. He says he will never again work two jobs and is grateful for the time he’s been able to spend with his kids the past seven months.

Communication within the family can sometimes be difficult because Michael is hard of hearing and Marsha is deaf.

“We rely on our kids a lot and sometimes our kids don’t understand what we’re talking about,” Michael said.

He said he had wanted to get a cell phone to text with, but hasn’t been able to afford it. In addition, a TTY/TDD phone would be beneficial for the family so they could more easily communicate with others.

Michael and Marsha could also both use new hearing aids.

Marsha enjoys scrapbooking, so a digital camera with a memory card could help her with those activities.

Michael would like new running shoes, size 12 1/2.

Daughter Aleisha would be delighted with a Barbie. Son Isaac would like a scooter and a train. Skyler also wants a scooter and likes anything that deals with Iron Man.

To help the Mitchell family, please drop off donated items or send money to the Tooele Transcript Bulletin, 58 N. Main St., Tooele, Utah 84074, with items clearly marked “Christmas Benefit Fund.” The deadline for donations is Friday, Dec. 19.

Sarah Miley: swest@tooeletranscript.com