GoUpstate.com
By Alyssa Mulliger  Dec 24, 2015 at 4:21 PM

(http://www.goupstate.com/news/20151224/childrens-security-blanket-brightens-holidays-for-local-families)

The Children’s Security Blanket has helped make Christmas brighter this year for multiple Spartanburg County families.

The nonprofit provides financial support and hope to families whose children are facing cancer. With children receiving cancer treatments outside of the county, the organization assists with transportation, lodging, food and other expenses not covered by insurance.

Boiling Springs mother of three Ashley Garner came in contact with the organization in 2006. Garner’s 13-year-old son, Tron, has battled cancer since he was 6. A pediatric oncology social worker with Greenville Health System referred the family to The Children’s Security Blanket.

“The Children’s Security Blanket is an awesome organization,” Garner said. “They have helped us with power bills, food, lodging and going back and forth to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. There has never been a time I’ve needed help and they haven’t helped me.”

This year, the organization has connected the Garners with people who are making sure the family has presents under the Christmas tree. Garner said her family is able to spend Christmas together because of a sponsor family.

“This Christmas, we were having a real hard time and this family has given my kids a Christmas,” Garner said. “They just blessed us with so many gifts. We’re used to being in the hospital and this is the first Christmas at home in five years.”

Laura Allen, the organization’s executive director, shared the story of another Spartanburg family that is enjoying Christmas together thanks to the generosity of others. After Allen solicited for help on behalf of The Children’s Security Blanket, several strangers offered to help the family.

One anonymous donor in Miami provided the family with an apartment near the hospital where the child is receiving treatment. After learning more about The Children’s Security Blanket, Allen said the Miami man sent a check for $100,000 to assist more families.

“Every gift to this organization, no matter what size, allows us to help these families,” Allen said.