The Enquirer and United Way of Greater Cincinnati have joined forces for the 39th year to help families in need with the Wish List program. After wishes are granted, remaining funds assist people with similar needs throughout the year. This is the fifth of eight stories.
The living room of Trevor Sullivan’s Sunman, Indiana, home feels warm and inviting, like stepping into a holiday gathering already in full swing. Voices overlap and toddlers weave between teenagers. Love fills the space grief once hollowed out. That warmth is something Trevor and his brothers fought hard to maintain for their niece and nephews the past two years.
Since losing their sister Stacy to a horrific act of domestic violence, Jason, Trevor and Jordan Sullivan have stepped forward to raise her five children – 19-year-old Maleighna, 17-year-old Gabe, 13-year-old Sabastian, 3-year-old Elliott and 2-year-old Prestin.
“It’s definitely a change,” Maleighna said of adjusting to their living situations. “It made us all a lot closer … and it’s really nice that everybody didn’t mind stepping up and helping take care of us.”
The children split time between two southeast Indiana households, with Trevor’s serving as the main hub. “Everybody does their own part, especially with the younger boys,” Maleighna explained. “If we have sports activities or school … the responsibilities are pretty split.”
For the Sullivans, there was never a question they’d do whatever they could to keep the five siblings close in the dark days following Stacy’s murder in November 2023. Almost 21 months later, the Mondal children would watch a judge sentence their father to at least 25 years in prison.
“We were never splitting any kids up,” Trevor said. The family is committed to keeping that promise.
“Regardless of where they’re at full-time, they know that we’re still there for them,” Jason said. When asked what kept them going through the hardest moments: “The kids, really.”
The kids stepped up, too, especially Maleighna, who has assumed a leadership role in the wake of her mother’s death.
“I felt like I took on a bigger responsibility,” she said. “I was just trying to keep all of her traditions the same … and I always try to just remind them who she is and what she did.”
The family continues to go on camping trips, show up at each other’s sporting events and gather for holidays. “Every year we make the same cookies she would make when we were kids,” Maleighna said. “We just try and keep it all going.”
The younger kids are finding their paths too. Gabe runs track for East Central High School, and he’s learning culinary career skills. Sabastian is into football and fishing. The toddlers are happiest around animals and anything involving the outdoors.
Safe Passage Inc. nominated the family for the Wish List, noting that donors could help lighten some of the financial burden this holiday season by fulfilling the Christmas wishes of the five Mondal children and their caretakers.
“It’s a blessing for us to have the opportunity,” Jason said, especially as the kids’ needs grow.
When asked what Stacy would think of the way her family has come together for her children, Maleighna smiled. “I’m sure she would love it … us being closer than ever. Family gatherings were her favorite thing.”
Her mother, she said, “tried to make everything special.” Support from the community helps them continue that spirit in her honor. “This really helps the rest of the family … just find some normalcy in everything,” Maleighna said.
Family’s wish: Clothing, shoes, toys, electronics, sporting equipment, furniture.
Estimated cost: $5,000.
How to help
Donations can be made online at www.uwgc.org/wishlist. You can also mail donations to: United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Attn: Wish List Pledge Processing, P.O. Box 632840, Cincinnati, OH 45263-2840. Please include “Wish List” in the memo line on checks.
Andy Smith is the content manager at United Way.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: After their mother was killed, family stepped in to keep them together
Reporting by Andy Smith, United Way of Greater Cincinnati / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
