It doesn't matter what form the help comes in--if it hurts his pride, it will hurt his pride. We had tragedy in my family when I was about 16 years old. My Dad died of untreatable cancer 6 months later. He was a very well liked good old truck driver. We were strapped with bills, sad, had a few really lean years. A distant cousin and his wife never had children and would dress up as Mr and Mrs Santa and take toys to needy children every year. They never came to our house before because we always managed (a really depressed area in PA to begin with). But that year Mr and Mrs Santa came and for a few moments we all believed, including Dad, because there was joy in our house and the Spirit of Christmas came. We each got a toy, I think Dad got a case of Genny and mom a bottle of Seagram's 7.
We would find money left for us and extra milk delivery, groceries on the porch, etc. I think the Christmas event opened my Dad's eyes up that we needed help. And it made an impression on me. I bet the utility bills could get paid, that's a great idea.
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