Actions

Single-mother working her way through college receives Thanksgiving surprise

Posted at 10:18 PM, Nov 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-21 22:21:59-05

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. – November is the season of giving so in that spirit CBS 6 surprised a Henrico single-mother who is working her way through college.

Shawnisha Berry is studying to become a medical assistant and will be finished with her program in May and graduate in June of 2017.

Berry is also the mother of a 6-year-old son.

Berry says she is working day and night to give her little boy a good life.

She goes to school every day, then after her classes are done, Berry can be seen zipping down the street to her job in retail.

Shawnisha Berry

Shawnisha Berry

When CBS 6 reporter Shelby Brown found out that Berry was still trying to pull together a Thanksgiving meal on a tight budget, she jumped in to help.

So Shelby, with the help of Union Bank and Trust, made a trip to the store to purchase some Thanksgiving goodies for Berry and her son in the latest edition of CBS 6 Gives.

Shelby and Photojournalist Chris Munnings were able to fill a box with all the holiday trimmings like stuffing, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and more.

They also included a gift card to Honey Baked Ham so that Berry and her son could select a yummy ham or turkey for Thanksgiving.

Shawnisha Berry

Shawnisha Berry

Berry, who was stunned to learn she was a recipient of CBS 6 Gives said she is extremely grateful and appreciative.

“Thank you so much I really appreciate it,” Berry said tearfully. “Thank you again! You have really helped me a lot.”

Berry said she picked out a ham to put on the dinner table for Thanksgiving.