Statesville mother grateful for ‘School Tools' donations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9's 18th annual collection of "School Tools" kicked off Friday.
 
Thousands of families in our area simply can't afford school supplies, so we hope you'll step up and donate.
 
In this Family Focus report, meet a mother with a big family and an even bigger heart.

WATCH:  WSOC 9 School Tools 2014 Kickoff Event

Janice Jamison is raising or helping to raise 11 children inside her home in Statesville.
 
She's the sole provider for eight of them and doesn't receive food stamps.
 
"I buy a lot of food in bulk," Jamison said. "If I have to, I'll work that clearance rack and I don't have a problem going to the Goodwill either."
 
But there's still a void.
 
Two years ago her son was murdered in Michigan.
 
Jamison said the crime there is what led her to pack up and move her kids to Statesville.
 
"When you have children, there's just a part of you that goes," Jamison said. "I hurt so bad. I was in such a bad way."
 
Providing for this many children is hard and she didn't realize that in North Carolina, parents must buy their kids school supplies.
 
She said in Michigan the schools do that.
 
Still, she's grateful for the help she gets from her church and others.
 
"I thank God all day long -- all day; I pray hard for my kids. I do," Jamison said.
 
She prays for them and is also their biggest cheerleader.
 
She's determined to see each of her kids succeed and to give them a great shot at life.
 
School Tools collection sites are at all local Showmars Restaurants and Ashley Furniture Homestores.
 
Visit www.9schooltools.com has more information.

To see more local news stories, click here.

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