Jul 17, 2008 5:35 pm US/Eastern
50 Years, 50 Families: Candace Rhodes
BADEN (KDKA) ―
It's tough for lots of families just to pay the bills these days, but for one local single mom who is caring for her 2-year-old son and her 83-year-old grandfather it's especially difficult.
They are the recipients of this week's 50 Years, 50 Families program.
Candace Rhodes, of Baden, works hard to be a great mom to her son, Tristan. She only wishes she could give him more.
"Everything I didn't have, I mean," says Rhodes. "I wish I could give him anything he wanted, but it's hard."
Rhodes says she also wants to give back to her grandfather.
"My grandfather pretty much raised me because my mom wasn't always there for me," she says. "When she was working she was doing other things and she couldn't help much because of her job."
Rhodes says her grandfather had to go to the hospital just recently because of fluid in his lungs. He also has diabetes and has had a heart transplant.
And despite the 81 year age difference, Tristan and his great-grandfather are best buddies.
"That's his pride and joy. He was there the day he was born in the delivery room with me," Rhodes said. "When he was born, he cried. It was amazing how attached he could get."
With a fixed income, there is not enough money for a new bed for Rhodes, so she pulls a mattress into the living room.
But now, $3,000 in free furniture from Roomful Express is going to go a long way.
Candace's friend, Donna Davis, says she feels her friend deserves something new for herself.
"She hasn't had a lot," said Davis. "Everything she has, has been given second hand."
Rhodes say she is grateful for the new furniture, a luxury she's never been able to afford.
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