WEST MILTON — Sharon McDowell understands that life sometimes requires a little humility.

Disabled from her position as a personal caregiver, the single mother of five works part time at a sandwich shop, a job she’s thankful to have, but one that doesn’t pay enough to provide for her family during the holidays this year.

“Sometimes you got to humble yourself in life,” McDowell said. “There’s a lot of things you may not want to do, but there are some things you may have to do.”

Two of her children already are grown and a third is moving out in January, McDowell said, leaving her 18-year-old son, Tyrone, and her 15-year-old daughter, Shanice, at home.

McDowell also cares for her 8-year-old granddaughter, Aaliyah.

This Christmas, Tyrone would like some video games, his mother said, while Shanice is interested in clothes. Aaliyah plays with Bratz dolls and anything Hannah Montana.

“I hope that (the Needy Family Fund) would bless the kids for what they want,” McDowell said. “What makes me happy is what makes my kids happy. … As long as I’m cooking and they’re smiling, we’re all right. It’s going to be OK.”

The Needy Family Fund, sponsored by The Daily Item, Sunbury Broadcasting Corp. and Susquehanna Bank, raises money during the holidays for the Valley’s less fortunate. It is administered by Salvation Army citadels in Milton and Sunbury.

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