ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Mom of five seeks area rug for newborn
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Thirty-eight-year-old "D.S." worked until the day before she gave birth to her fifth child in November.
Her part-time status, however, did not qualify D.S. for a maternity leave. She plans to return to her 20-hour job, which pays $6.25 a hour, in mid-January but will not receive her first paycheck until February.
By then, she'll be four months behind on her rent. It will take time but D.S. plans to pay back what she owes.
• 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.
Although D.S. doesn't earn much, she prepared for her maternity leave by saving whatever she could. It was enough to buy necessities.
• Checks made payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17328, Honolulu, HI 96817.
"I had to make sure my kids get what they need," said D.S., whose other children range in age from 2 to 19. "I buy just what we need. My kids have toys that are either second hand or bought by somebody else for them as a gift.
"My mother buys them some clothes for Christmas or their birthdays. We use what we have or get from the (Community) Clearinghouse. Everything in my house in second hand or worn out."
Because of the infant, D.S. would like a new or clean area rug.
"I can't put the baby down on the old carpet we have," she said. "It doesn't matter how many times I vacuum or shampoo it, it doesn't feel clean."
