In life, it’s great to be blessed, but it’s even better to be a blessing. Today that is what Shannon Anthony is and will be for many.
In 2019, Shannon, a caregiver to her Marine veteran husband, Andrew, and mother of four, joined our HOPE family. At the time, Shannon’s family was facing many challenges while navigating her husband’s treatments. Between traveling over four hours away to appointments and trying to work and managing the kids’ schedules, the costs of daily life were accumulating exponentially. As they entered the holiday season, Shannon recognized that they needed help even having a Christmas for their children. That’s when they found HOPE in the hearts of Santa’s helpers who support HOPE’s Holiday Giving program.
Today, the Anthony family is stable and on their way to a very prosperous future. Now that they can, Shannon decided she wanted to say “thank you” for the support they had received by paying it forward by giving one of her children’s favorite treasures, Usborne books, to fellow military families.
Now through the end of July, with the help of a dear friend and Usborne consultant, Kaylin, Shannon is hosting a book fair that will allow HOPE supporters to purchase books for families supported by holiday giving in 2021.
Kaylin, who has never been part of the warrior community, shared, “Shannon came to me with this idea, and I knew I had to make it work! In the short time that I’ve known Shannon, I have heard only some of the trials and procedures Andrew has gone through. I’ve only seen a brief picture of what it’s like to be a caregiver to a veteran. The amount of love, patience, and respect [that] people like Shannon and Andrew show to others while facing physical trials is astounding. The selflessness of spousal caregivers and military families is something I wish more people appreciated. Those who willingly serve this country and the families who stand by them deserve so much respect. An organization like HOPE is a wonderful way to give back to these amazing families.”
