Last minute help still available for families in need at Christmas

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Just two days before Christmas, there is still last minute help is available for people who need it.

One of several local places offering last minute help is Wayside Christian Mission's Miracle on Broadway, where parents can actually do their own shopping.

The Christmas tree is decorated and the children have even given Santa their lists. But if help doesn't arrive soon, there will be no toys under the tree on Christmas morning.

"I am still trying to think what I can do, where I can go," Sherrie Miller said. "I never thought we would wake up Christmas morning and the kids have nothing under the tree."

It has been a devastating year for Sherrie Miller and her family. "It has been kind of hard, ever since August 27th," Miller said.

In August, Miller's great granddaughter, 16-month-old Ne'Riah Miller, was shot and killed while standing on the front porch of a home.

"Not only my side of the family, but the other side of Ne'Riah's parents, her grandmother, everybody in the family, we have been struggling real hard," Miller said.

Despite the struggle, Miller is trying to provide a Merry Christmas for several of Ne'Riah's young relatives.

"I don't want them to wake up and nothing under the tree," she said. "That would really tear me apart."

"We know that it is important to a parent to be able to pick something out for their children, it just is," Wayside Christian Mission's Nina Moseley said.

Time is running out, but the mission has turned its Hotel Louisville location on Broadway into a mini mall. Parents who still need help can come and do their own shopping for free.

"They can come tomorrow morning -- Christmas Eve morning -- at 9 a.m. and we will have the store open with everything that's left," Moseley said.

Wayside has already helped nearly a thousand families, but there's still plenty out there who need help.

"We still have some nice toys, we still have some clothing items, we still have some household goods, some gift items," Moseley said. "They can still have a nice little Christmas."

That's all Sherrie Miller is asking for.

"One or two toys, it's fine, I just have to explain to them that this is what Santa could bring," Miller said.

The doors open at 9 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning. Anyone who plans to come should bring a picture ID and proof of children.