Advertiser Christmas Fund
Woman says seventh child is chance to be good parent
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By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Inside a clean 18th-floor studio apartment, 30-year-old "R.N." smiles as she talks about giving birth next month to her seventh child. Her infant daughter will be born drug-free.
The feeling of being clean and sober has given her confidence that she can meet the commitment of being a good parent.
"I haven't been a responsible parent in the past," she said, referring to her other six children — five of whom have been adopted by the family of her brother's wife while the other is living with relatives on the Mainland.
"I thought getting food on the table, a roof over their heads ... was enough. It wasn't. I'm going to do my best to give this one a better life than the other kids had with me. For me, she is a blessing. God is giving me this second chance to do right with this child."
"I'm going to do it," she said, because she feels she owes it to God.
How to make a donation
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Checks made payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund should be mailed to
Helping Hands Hawai'i
P.O. Box 19155
Honolulu, HI 96817
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Donations may also be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch.
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Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway near Pu'uhale Street. For details, call 536-7234.
R.N.'s addiction to crystal methamphetamine led to Child Protective Services' taking custody of her six children in July 1996. Five of those six children were exposed to drugs during her pregnancy. R.N. admits her life then was one lie after another.
She receives $450 in welfare assistance per month. R.N. is living with the baby's father, "S.W.," who is recovering from an injury and working "light duty."
R.N. needs baby clothes, a car seat and stroller.
Our anonymous Santa will match the first $25 of every donation to the Christmas fund.
Recent donations
In memory of David Garliepp and Billy Gibson Garliepp $25
In memory of Bessie Takahashi 25
In memory of Stanley P. Hu 50
How Tim Chang 10
Deborah Chong 15
Jacqueline P. Barton 20
Raymond Fujioka 20
Robert P Giffin 25
Brandon Marc T. Higa 25
Samuel Silver 25
Mary Bacon 25
Marian A. Komoto 25
Pat Franklin 25
Tim Carty 25
Elaine W. Kohnen 25
Hammond S. K. Hu 30
Anne G. Case 50
Warren Leong 50
Alice S. Yasutake 50
Carl J. Higgins 50
John J. Jaquette 75
M Lucile Waldron 100
Leilehua Furtado 100
Eduardo S. Romero 100
Paul V. Heyd 100
Jody Bade-De Viney 100
John E. Simonds 100
Aunty Marian's Grooming Service 100
Dr. Guy H. Dority 100
Vivian Clark 100
Hawaii Presort Mail Service Inc. 100
Annie F Arakaki 100
Evelyn A. Cranston 100
William H. Hahn 200
Dr. Stephen S. F. Choy 200
Thomas A. Williams 250
Dorothy Fowler 500
Anonymous 10
Anonymous 25
Anonymous 30
Anonymous 100
Anonymous 100
Total $3,285
Total to date $7,665
Previous stories
• Friday, Nov. 30: With its breadwinner laid off, family requests help for first time
• Thursday, Nov. 29: Pacific immigrants struggle to stay here
• Wednesday, Nov. 28: Couple forgo gifts, except for two keiki's
• Tuesday, Nov. 27: Child's grave needs headstone
• Monday, Nov. 26: Security officer, six children have to eat on floor
• Sunday, Nov. 25: Holiday assistance badly needed this year
