Magic Moments: The Armstrong/Artiaga Family

Emilio Artiaga is a huge basketball fan who loves the Golden State Warriors. That’s fitting, as he himself is quite the warrior — he was born with a congenital heart defect. This fall, complications after an open-heart surgery resulted in several more surgeries, the use of a special machine to help his heart, months of rehab, and more challenges ahead. But this lovable warrior keeps rising to the occasion, with his whole family united behind him.

Whatever it takes

Though no longer a one-household family, the Armstrong/Artiagas are very tight knit, so of course, they all pulled together to support each another — and will keep pulling, for as long as it takes. Christinia, Emilio’s mom, set up camp with Emilio in Omaha for his first surgery and stayed for the duration so he’d have her help and support. She hated having to leave 16-year-old Celayna, but dad JJ and big bro Jose moved in to Christinia’s to keep things going on the home front. Moving forward, they’ll work together to figure things out, including the mounting pile of medical bills and other expenses. The family’s nominators, Christinia’s former co-workers, Becky Senters and Kristy Chism, spoke of their positivity and strong work ethic — and they also mentioned Emilio’s herculean inner strength. They felt the family deserved one heck of a holiday and UBT agrees!

Making the holidays bright

This group looks forward to just being together again — to family movie nights, grilling out, and doing fun activities together. UBT thought they needed something really special, so we scored them some Husker basketball tickets and new Husker apparel. They’ll also be going to CJ's Paintball, and thanks to a generous donation, enjoying a year-long membership to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Merry Maids donated housecleaning, so they’ll be coming home to a tidy abode, and Runza pitched in to donate gift cards so they won’t have to get the kitchen dirty. We also arranged for a family movie night basket, endless cozy cocoa and treats, a delivered Christmas meal with all the trimmings. Plus, a generous $500 donation from the Love Adelyn Foundation will provide a new deluxe grill and meat bundle for the family who grills together. 

Emilio will be receiving a complete matching bedroom set courtesy of 7-Day Furniture, Golden State Warriors bedding, room décor, and ball cap, Nike Jordan shoes and hoodie, PS5 games, and some less exciting, but still necessary shoes and socks.

Celayna will be enjoying a Splatter Room experience and craft items donated by Mākit Tākit, books, makeup and spa items, a gift card to get nails done with her mom, and some clothing, shoes, and socks.

Graham Tire donated much-needed tires to get Christinia to Omaha appointments this winter, and Super C and U-Stop donated gas cards. UBT thought she needed an air fryer, bakeware, and kitchen items for some therapeutic baking and cooking, as well as some household supplies. Besides that manicure with Celayna, we thought she needed some additional “me” items, so her gift pile contained a selection of spa lotions and clothes.

JJ and Jose each received some nice car care items and gas gift cards, courtesy of Super C and U-Stop, and they both will be sporting new clothes.

With all these new garments, it sounds like you’re photo-ready. May you have the brightest and shiniest of holidays, Armstrong/Artiaga family. Emilio, you keep fighting, and know that we’re in your corner!

Note: If you’d like to help the Armstrong/Artiaga family, their friends have started a GoFundMe page to help offset the family’s expenses.

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