Finding love later in life was a blessing for the 57-year-old caretaker in Eutaw, Alabama.

But more than a decade later, Valerie is dealing with a host of challenges. For one, her husband, a disabled Iraq War veteran, needs round-the-clock help. His care has forced her to close the home daycare business she used to run. To help shoulder the responsibility, Valerie has asked her two adult sons to move into the home the couple owns.

When she gets a moment to spend outside the house, Valerie can be found volunteering in the community. As a life-long resident of the low-income community, she knows how important giving back can be, especially to children, in shaping a better future. For the holidays, she puts together over 50 gift bags for local children so they know they are loved.