Struggling Family Granted a Christmas Wish

DALLAS - A Fort Worth man got a Christmas wish beyond his wildest dreams and it was all thanks to his niece and a local radio station.

Edgar Lewis has endured more hardships in the past year than some do in a lifetime. The 78-year-old’s home and all his possessions were wiped out in a fire in January.

He and his wife began renting a one-bedroom apartment with the money from his Social Security checks. And not long after they were unexpectedly joined by three of his grandchildren, who spent their nights on an air mattress.

After being forced to move into a larger and higher priced apartment because of occupancy laws, Lewis’ niece reached out for help. And the donations poured in.

On Thursday a lot of generous people helped the family make a fresh start.

“Edgar, welcome to the 94.9 KLTY Christmas Wish. Merry Christmas my friend,” said Frank Reed from the radio station 94.9 KLTY.

Christine Cook from Sleep Experts took the Lewis family on a tour of their new rooms filled with beds, TVs, couches and more.

And then there were gift certificates.

“So this is a $1,000 Target gift card. You go to Target and get what you need,” Reed said.

But it was when Lewis was taken outside and shown his new donated car that he broke his silence. The second vehicle will allow both him and his 17-year-old granddaughter to work to support the family.

“Thank you. God bless you,” he said. “I want to say I thank you for making this a wonderful Christmas and ya’ll know that ya’ll have done a really good deed for me and my family.”

His wife Carolyn said she was overjoyed that her grandchildren now have a bed to sleep in and will have a special Christmas.

“The things you all done for me and my grandkids and my wife, I really appreciate this. And I’ll remember this as long as God lets me live. Thank you very much,” Lewis said.

The Christmas Wish program aims to try and give families enough to get a fresh start.