"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -- Aesop

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- When Nathan was killed in a car wreck at age 20, Melissa was left to care for their 6 month-old-baby boy on her own.

Melissa, who also has a 2-year-old son, walks a mile every night to work at a fast food restaurant. She has no transportation or telephone and the pay at her minimum-wage job isn't nearly enough.

The Gabriel Project helps young mothers like Melissa, who needs cribs, baby formula, diapers and sometimes just someone to talk to.

But the organization is desperate for financial help. The Gabriel Project is one of the help agencies supported by the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund.

Founded in 1997, the project provides assistance to pregnant women and families with children under age 2. It also offers emotional support for mothers dealing with the stress of a new baby.

Last year, the volunteer organization, which relies solely on private donations, foundation grants and fundraisers, helped more than 3,000 families across 25 counties in West Virginia. About 150 cribs, 600 cans of formula and more than 2,000 packages of diapers were distributed in the Kanawha Valley.

The non-political group primarily serves mothers and mothers-to-be from age 13 through 45. They also assist fathers and grandparents caring for their child or grandchild.

Please help them continue their work by donating to the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund. (Look for the donation form with this story.)

When you make a donation to the Gazette Charities Fund, every penny goes to the agencies and people who need help.

The Gazette covers the administrative costs of the fund. All donations to Gazette Charities are tax deductible.

To donate online, go to wvgazette.com and click on the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund logo.

Reach Kate White at kate.wh...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1723.