Advertiser Christmas Fund
Couple forgo gifts, except for two keiki's
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"N.L.," a 22-year-old laborer, could use a new pair of steel-toe work shoes. His 20-year-old wife, "S.L.," owns only one dress, the one she wore on her wedding day. Neither can remember the last time they received a Christmas gift.
The young couple, however, are not asking anything for themselves this Christmas.
Noting that his 10-year-old nephew "really needed help," N.L. began caring for the boy in January even if his $180 weekly take-home pay combined with welfare assistance is hardly enough to provide for his wife and nearly 1-year-old daughter. N.L. and his wife treat the boy as their own and are willing to fight a court battle to keep him.
"I'd rather have (him) here with us than somewhere else, like a foster home, because I've been there," N.L. said.
Their daughter, meanwhile, has asthma and had a serious attack recently that required hospitalization. The infant is doing fine now.
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.
The couple would appreciate receiving clothes for the nephew (adult medium size pants and shirts) and their daughter. They would also welcome educational games and books.
"Toys are not something we need," said S.L., who spent a year in the Army before being medically discharged.
Without added expenses, the couple have enough for rent and utilities, food and diapers. "We never buy anything for ourselves," S.L. said.
N.L. laughs about his work shoes. "They're air-conditioned on the sides," he said.
"I've sewed it together three times already," his wife added. "And the tongue keeps coming off."
