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

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- One single father is taking college classes with the hope of bettering his family's current situation, but his minimum wage job as a janitor leaves much to be desired.

The father, who lives in a small one-bedroom home with his 9- and 12-year-old sons, lost his wife several years ago to cancer, and the family has struggled ever since, according to Scott Foley with the Children's Home Society.

The mission of the Children's Home Society is to promote the well-being of children.

Children's Home Society is one of the help agencies supported by the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund.

In addition to his minimum-wage job, the father is taking college courses, aiming for a degree in nursing.

"He only wants what is best for his children," Foley said.

The family is in need of clothing for the two boys, pots, pans and other cooking utensils and blankets and sheets for twin beds.

The father also works odd jobs on the weekends for extra money, but sometimes it doesn't stretch far enough.

Please consider helping this father and others like him by donating to the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund.

When you make a donation to the Gazette Charities Christmas 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.