ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Boy wishes for desk to study on — not toys
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Eight-year-old "T.H." lives in a two-bedroom apartment with his parents and grandmother. He has a room to himself, but there's nothing in it except storage boxes.
"We've heard from friends that he doesn't have any toys," T.H.'s caseworker said.
But toys are not something this boy wants for Christmas. What he'd really like are a desk, chair, lamp, bookshelf, alarm clock and school supplies.
These items are motivational tools that will enhance T.H.'s success in school, the caseworker said.
Helping Hands Hawai'i • Our anonymous Santa will match the first $25 of all contributions. • Donations to the Christmas Fund can also be dropped off at First Hawaiian Bank branches statewide. To donate canned food or household goods, call the Helping Hands Hawai'i Community Clearinghouse at 536-7234.
A third-grader, T.H. lives in a public housing project. "He is considered at-risk because of the low socioeconomic conditions prevailing in and around his community — high crime and drug rates and the high rate of high school dropouts," the caseworker said.
• Mail checks payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund to:
P.O. Box 19155
Honolulu, HI 96817
T.H. attends a community center after-school program, where he starts his homework. Whatever needs to be finished is done at home on the floor. "Whenever he doesn't have homework, he'll read a book," the caseworker noted.
T.H.'s family attends church regularly. The adults are working but cannot afford to buy him a desk.
"It would really raise his self-esteem," the caseworker said of the desk. "He's very good about applying himself. He wants the bookshelf to keep his school supplies organized and the alarm clock so he can wake himself up in the mornings."
