(Seguin) – The KWED Christmas Angel is doing its part to turn one family’s darkness into a glimmer of hope. In a shared letter to the KWED Christmas Angel, staff at Ball Early Childhood Center explained why they thought that the family of Keila Hernandez was deserving of the Angel’s blessing of $500 cash.
The cash was the prize awarded this week to the Hernandez Family, the winner of this year’s KWED Christmas Angel contest. The Hernandez children consist of Luis, 16; Uziel, 11; Genesis, 5 and Kaila, 2.
In year’s past, it was a local student who wrote a letter about their own families explaining why they were needing or deserving of the prize. This year, however, the contest was expanded to also include adults in the community who also wanted an opportunity to nominate a deserving family or individual. As part of the contest rules, the person doing the nominating would also have to read the letter live on the air on Seguin Radio KWED.
This would also be the first time that Keila and her four children would get the chance to hear the words as spelled out by those who have rallied around her family and her youngest child who attends Ball.
Sitting in an adjacent studio, Keila and each of her children peered into the next window as Ball Principal Debra Reiley began to read on air, “Dear Christmas Angel, I am writing to nominate Keila Hernandez for a visit from the Christmas Angel. Mrs. Hernandez and her family are facing a very difficult Christmas. At the beginning of November, Mrs. Hernandez’s family was excited to be moving into a nice place with her four kids and husband. During this time, several members of her family contracted COVID-19. Pretty soon, all members of the family had COVID-19. Because so many family members were sick, Keila and her husband were not able to work for most of November and the beginning of December. At the end of November, Mrs. Hernandez’s husband was hospitalized and passed away at the beginning of December. Mrs. Hernandez is now a single mom to four children. I can’t imagine the sadness that this family is feeling right now to be facing their first Christmas without their dad.”
The letter wraps up with the words spelling out the reality of now having to handle the stresses of everyday life all while still mourning the death of husband and father, Edwin Hernandez, 45.
“But, I also can’t imagine the stress of paying bills that don’t stop coming no matter what is going on in your life. I ask that you consider this hard-working family who could use any support possible to help them get through this very difficult time,” reads Reiley.
With tears and many emotions, the Hernandez family thanked their extended family at Ball for continuing to support them outside the classroom. Taking the lead in responding to the letter was now the man of the house Luis. Luis says he is grateful for all the support that has been shown to his family.
“I want to give thanks to everyone that has been helping us a lot lately and these times have been hard but I’m just glad that we have people all around us that are able to help us,” said Luis.
Sharing her thoughts as her two precious girls sat on her lap was Keila. Keila says she too is amazed by all of the support and believes the gift by the Christmas Angel only gives her the needed strength to continue pushing forward for her children.
“It’s been so hard because we were so close to each other. We were always together and now all this that we are going through, especially with my little ones, it’s really hard and I just want to thank everybody who is helping us. I know God is with us and he’s using other people to help us and I’m just going to work so hard for my kids and do everything I can for them. My husband he’s looking at us from over there and I know, he’s going to be happy with how my work is going to be for them,” said Keila.
Luis says his family is so deserving and is thankful that others also saw their true hearts even though they are currently covered with lots of pain.
“I think what makes my family so special is that no matter what we are going through, we are always together and I just hope that we stick together,” said Luis.
Reiley says she is honored to be a part of this week’s recognition of the Hernandez Family. She especially applauds those at her campus who work year round for all families.
“Our Ball family is just one big family and when we have people on our staff, a social worker, Amanda Matthews and my two family specialists Moranda Mendez and Melissa Avalos that when they find a family in need, they just reach out. The hearts at Ball are just so big and I’m just honored that I get to represent the staff today by reading the letter but they are the ones that do the work. I’m happy for the Hernandez Family that they are honored by the Christmas Angel. It’s been hard I know on them but Genesis continues to be a student. She’s in Mrs. Sarai Lopez’s class and I see her on the screen (virtual student) when I’m in the classroom and I know the other two children I think Luis is at Seguin High School and then the other brother is at Barnes and I know they continue to do their work and face the challenges and I know it’s not easy losing a father or being sick themselves. The family, all of them, have had the COVID-19 and it’s been a struggle for their family and we are just honored at Ball that their letter was chosen and we are so thankful that we get to help this hardworking family,” said Reiley.
During the live radio announcement, members of the family were also given the opportunity to talk more about their beloved husband and father Edwin who died on Dec. 4. Keila says the two had been together for 17 years. She says the couple a few years ago relocated to Seguin from California to be close to family. She says their children are what made her husband the happiest. Even little Genesis chimed in to add that her father or “Papi” made the best pancakes and homemade pizza.
Luis says his father was simply just one of a kind and will forever be in their hearts.
“My dad he was a hard worker for sure and all he wanted was the best for us,” said Luis.
The KWED Christmas Angel again thanks all those who submitted entries in this year’s contest and looks forward to spreading even more Christmas spirit in 2021.