Unlucky Ohio family needs a hand

The past few years have been very rough for our family.  We were regular middle class - decent jobs, low debt, dinners out twice a week, etc.   Then the recession hit.   I got sick & had to leave my job in 2007, and then my husband lost his job in Nov. 2010 and has been unemployed almost 2 years.  We lost our home (sadly had to foreclose), and tapped out all of our savings months ago.  

My husband has been doing everything he can to try to find a job, but he's had some amazingly bad luck.  Companies go out of business weeks after he starts (an established business journal).  Start-ups never get off the ground enough to get paid (a sutainability initiative).  Potential employers check credit, so his chances are slim since we had to file bankruptcy after the foreclosure & my medical bills 2 yrs ago.  (He lost his job ON THE DAY AFTER we filed bankruptcy - how's that for some rotten luck?).  

He does freelance writing when he can find it, writes a couple blogs, and we resell vintage finds on etsy (nickadizzy) & ebay, but it's not near enough.  Our situation has taken quite a toll on him, but he keeps working hard every single day - maintaining the etsy site, searching for a job and trying to find ways to bring in some money.

After sending out resumes & applying for somewhere around 1,000 jobs (no kidding!), he's only had a total of 3 interviews in the past 2 years.  He has a Master's Degree, but that just seems to "over-qualify" him.   He's almost 50, so physically demanding jobs won't hire him, either.  Unemployment compensation ran out in March, 2012 so we cashed in our 401k's to make rent & pay bills.  That's been spent, and we're a couple months behind on rent.  We have nothing, now, but foodstamps, which we are very grateful for, but regret having to depend on.  

Our cars are old and in bad shape  (engine light is on, balding & leaking tires, streering fluid leak, etc).   We live in a rural/suburban outskirt, 45 minutes from an urban area, so our vehicles are vital - there's no public transport, and life's necessities & my doctors' offices are not near-by.   

I've had a number of health issues (thyroid & related impairment, chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc), two (2) separate surgeries in January, and my recovery has been very slow.   I still can't work and feel pretty bad most days.  The added stress of our financial situation seems to be hindering my recovery, too.  

However, no matter how bad I feel, I do my best to maintain a positive outlook & push myself each day for our 3 adorable, wonderful sons.  They are very active 12, 6 & 3 year olds.  They don't ask for much and are just about the sweetest, kindest children I've ever known (I might be a little biased, but others tell me this, too ;) ).   I wish I could say YES to them more for FUN things and not have to always worry so much.    I try to make sure they have a lot of cool experiences & positive memories, also so that they don't worry too much. 

Our last 2 years & Xmases have been really rough, but our sons have been so sweet through it all.  It would be awesome to surprise them this year with a few real presents.  (they're really into Legos right now, and they really need new shoes)   Right now, we won't be able to afford anything.   If my husband gets a job soon (he's applying for seasonal retail jobs, so wish us luck!); hopefully, we can catch up on rent, heat & basic internet bills.  (need to keep internet, as it's is the only way we've been able to bring in any money, via ebay & etsy).  

We could use a little help & good luck.  What we really need is just a chance at a decent job.  (message me if you could honestly help there!) 

But, if there are any generous people out there who are looking to help out a family that has hit a string of bad luck, I'd like to toss us into the list for consideration.  

Hopefully, our situation will turn around very soon and we can pay the kindness we receive forward, to another family needing a helping hand, by the next holiday season.