ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Fry pan, iron would improve family's life at shelter
| • | Foundation will match your donation twofold |
| • | Boy's wish for desk fulfilled; also gets a new computer |
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"V.G." was pregnant with twins when a miscarriage two years ago sent her into a deep depression.
Unable to cope with the situation, she quit her job as a cashier. Her husband's take-home pay, however, was not enough to support the couple and their five children.
There was money for food but not rent. After staying with different relatives, they found themselves homeless.
"It hurt being on the beach," V.G. said. "My husband was working but when friends found out where he was living, they tried to help us with food."
Without no refrigerator, V.G. served a lot of beans and grilled franks. "I learned to cook rice on a barbecue grill," said V.G., who noted that having only one outdoor bathroom and no privacy was one of the most humbling experiences of two months at the beach park.
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.
They recently moved into a temporary shelter and are thankful for the roof over their heads. Shelter residents, however, share a kitchen, utensils and the bathroom, although they have individual units.
• Mail checks payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund to:
P.O. Box 17328
Honolulu, HI 96817
"All I have is a rice cooker and two pots," V.G. said. "The community kitchen is OK, but I'd really like a large frying pan, (metal) spoons and forks, and an iron."
With her own frying pan, V.G. could cook according to her own schedule. An iron would allow her to press the children's clothes, which they currently spread out on the floor to prevent wrinkling.
"We've had a rough time," said V.G., who gave birth to a daughter four months ago. "But we're still together. We feel fortunate for that."
• • •
Donations to The Advertiser Christmas Fund
- Oahu Urban Garden Ohana $200
- In Loving Memory of Wendell Hopkins 25
- In Memory of a Beloved Grandson 25
- In Memory of Ayako Iwaki and Prof. Stanley Starosta 30
- In Memory of Mama and Papa, Tutu and Grandad, Tutu and Grandpa Perry 30
- In Memory of Francie and Lani Thomas 50
- In Memory of Hoy Lau 100
- In Memory of John and Lorraine Chan 100
- In Memory of Richard A.L. Foo 100
- In Memory of Wai Ching and Wai Bun Lee 100
- In Memory of Lillian Lum 100
- In Memory of Raymond and Joyce Usui 100
- Miss Al-Misty's Period 2 Social Studies Class, Kaimuki High School 10
- Katherine M. Fox 25
- Pat Franklin 25
- Victor and Maureen Kreck 25
- Constance E. McQuillan 25
- Margery B. Mulkern 25
- Glenn & Jean Sakai 25
- Rosei & Edna Shinsato 25
- Adrian and Shirley Silva Jr. 25
- Kenneth, Doris and Susan Takamiya 25
- Gary and Henriette Young 25
- Noriya and Alice Fujiwara 30
- Mosq and Ray 30
- Frederick and Janet Braun 50
- Bradford and Sharon Ishida 50
- Kathy and Tom Macdonald 50
- Richard and Victoria Mayo 50
- Teri and Pat 50
- Sandra L. Wadsworth 50
- Health Care and Sports Massage 100
- Elliot, Erica, Hugh and Family 100
- Beverly A. Kelly 100
- Joyce Satsuko Nakagawa 100
- Jo Ann Sterling 100
- Richard and Laura Swanson 100
- David L. Watson and Abby V. Brown-Watson 100
- Anonymous 20
- Anonymous 25
- Anonymous 100
Total $2,425
Total to date $12,022
