SUNBURY — Tracy Burgos’ life has changed drastically over the past two years.

A former heroin user, she has since gone through drug court and graduated. Ms. Burgos now works to support her four children, ages 18, 17, 13 and 3.

“I’ve made a better life for myself,” she said. “I’m a better person and a better mother.”

However, she finds that the income she receives isn’t stable enough to make for a good Christmas.

“It’s really hard to make ends meet in the home living paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “I’m a single mother, really struggling to make ends meet with finances and bills.”

Her four children know their mother is struggling, she said, and haven’t provided much of a list of Christmas wishes.

“They are really supportive and understanding of where I come from,” she said.

This is the second year Ms. Burgos has applied to the Needy Family Fund, sponsored by The Daily Item, Sunbury Broadcasting Corp. and Susquehanna Bank. The fund is administered by Salvation Army citadels in Sunbury and Milton.

“Life is important,” Ms. Burgos saidm “and I’m just enjoying it as it happens.”

Today’s balance is $71,456.

Recent donors are Alpha Circle Program students and staff, Sunbury, $90; Nick and Linda Lesher, Sunbury, $100; Frances Portzline, Selinsgrove; $100; Troxelville United Methodist Willing Workers, $25; Ned Host, Northumberland, $25 and anonymous donations totaling $300.

n E-mail comments to gmorton@dailyitem.com.