ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Mother could use babysitter, folding mattress
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
A complete makeover today has a different meaning for 41-year-old "L.R." than it did three years ago.
"I used to be high maintenance," L.R. said of the value she once placed on keeping herself attractive. "I was a single woman, working and living my own life. But when I had my son, a lot changed. Material things no longer mattered to me."
L.R.'s baby was born three months premature in 1999 and he weighed only 33 ounces. Her child, "B.R.," has special needs ranging from food to therapy. "The most important thing in my life is to make everything normal for him," she said.
• Our anonymous Santa will match the first $25 of all contributions. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has pledged to match and double cash donations. • Donations also may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 536-7234.
L.R. is a single parent and caring for her son has been a full-time job. She receives child support and medical assistance but is not on welfare.
• Checks made payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17328, Honolulu, HI 96817.
B.R.'s doctors and teachers have described her as a "dream mom."
L.R. has been encouraged by her son's developmental progress. "We've worked to catch him up and he's doing age-4 work right now," she said of B.R., who is finishing up an Easter Seals developmental program that teaches with music. "He's talking now."
L.R. and her son sleep on a carpeted floor because she's afraid the boy will roll off a bed and injure himself. What she would appreciate is a folding mattress.
She also could use some time off. Someone to watch her son for 2 to 3 hours once a week would be a big help.
"People are telling me I'm going to burn out if I don't take some time off," L.R. said.
• • •
Donations to The Advertiser Christmas Fund
- In Memory of Bessie Takahashi $25.00
- In Memory of Kuo-Ling Hsiao 30.00
- In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Schwamb 50.00
- In Memory of Matt Zane 50.00
- In Memory of Harold and Jon Tengan 50.00
- In Memory of John Shoei Higa 25.00
- In Memory of Nobuko Higa 25.00
- In Memory of Joyce Higa 25.00
- In Memory of Roddy Higa 25.00
- In Memory of Claire Tanaka 25.00
- In Memory of Lorraine Tanaka 25.00
- In Memory of Rachel Tanouye 25.00
- In Memory of Barry Tanouye 25.00
- In Memory of Matthew Tanouye 25.00
- In Memory of Grace Tanouye 25.00
- In Memory of Bryan Tanouye 25.00
- In Memory of Jean A. Lee 25.00
- In Memory of Kenika G. Beck 40.00
- In Honor of Uncle Harry 25.00
- Brian K. and Michelle Burdick 25.00
- Donna T. Shitabata 10.00
- Mary K. Chandler 15.00
- Dee Rachel Murakami 15.00
- Bennett D. Baird, Lt Col., USAF. Ret 20.00
- Robert H. Kure 25.00
- Dennis K. Sanada 25.00
- Jonathan B. Myers 25.00
- Takenobu Kadena 25.00
- Marion P. Dunning 25.00
- Bruce H. and Denise F. Ellinwood 25.00
- Reggie K. H. Chong 25.00
- Karen H. Chin 30.00
- Clarence Y. F. Liu 30.00
- Elizabeth S. and Daniel Berman 50.00
- Barry M. and Jean I. Kuramoto 50.00
- Thomas A. Huff 50.00
- Harold Miroslav Mateja 50.00
- Joe Mendez and Stella P. Mendez 50.00
- Margaret Tamaye 50.00
- Harlan Aliment 50.00
- Wilfred A. and Gwen S. Miyasaki 75.00
- Max D. and Muriel H. Seeker 100.00
- GRJ Realty 100.00
- E.H. Fukeda and La Verne Fukeda 100.00
- David C. and Sara J. Johnson 150.00
- Eric Firing 200.00
- D. M. Oughtred 300.00
- Donald A. and Martha J. Corbin 15.00
- Paul, Ekela and Ohana 40.00
- Laura P. Beck 60.00
- The Andrew Chings 50.00
- Sean and Scott Matsuwaka 50.00
- Mrs. Sibyl N. Heide 250.00
- Anonymous 40.00
- Anonymous 100.00
- Anonymous 20.00
- Anonymous 25.00
- Anonymous 100.00
- Anonymous 20.00
- Anonymous 50.00
- Anonymous 25.00
- Anonymous 25.00
Total 3,160.00
Total to date $39,747.36
