Young mom thanks community for Salvation Army donations

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — CBS2 partnered with the Salvation Army to collect food, hygiene products, clothes, and cash for people in need in the community during our 'Day of Giving' on Monday.

During the 'Day of Giving,' I met a young mom who benefitted from the generosity of the community. Thanks to all of the donations and the Salvation Army, the mom, and her newborn are off to a great start.

At just barely 18, McKenzie Austin's life was turned upside down when she found out she was pregnant.

Homeless and living in Utah, McKenzie moved to Idaho and found out about the Cardinal Academy at Booth Campus at the Salvation Army.

Now she is working on her high school diploma to create a better life for her and her daughter.

"I just want to give her the world, give her everything I never had and just be a better mom and be a better person than I use to be and how I was raised," said McKenzie Austin, Cardinal Academy student.

Baby Nuhriyah is just three days old and her mom says having her daughter saved her life.

"She definitely saved my life because if I did not find out I was pregnant, I honestly probably would have been dead right now," McKenzie said.

McKenzie says going to school at the Cardinal Academy is helping her get a fresh start.

"Everything my daughter has right now was provided by the school and you don't pay money for anything you earn Booth bucks, by coming to school, participating in class, and doing your assignments and you earn $50 every week and we have the incentive store where you can go and get everything," McKenzie said.

Most of the items from the incentive store come from donations from the community. McKenzie says she was so happy to see all of the donations from the community after the 'Day of Giving.'

"With everybody donating, this is how we get our stuff provided to us from everybody else and I appreciate it. I don't know what I would have done if I did not have the school and community to help out," McKenzie said.

The Salvation Army is still accepting donations. You can donate money HERE.

If you have food or clothes to donate, you can take them to the Salvation Army's office on Emerald in Boise.

If you need services, you can also find them at the Salvation Army's offices.

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