Girl, 4, inspires dad to pursue better life
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"R.R." gave up his painting job and dropped out of vocational school last year to care for his 4-year-old daughter when he and his wife divorced. Early this year, he had lost most of his belongings, was homeless and was moving from one friend's house to another.
Things turned for the better six months ago when R.R. and his daughter moved into a transitional shelter. Today, R.R. is in a vocational program that has a preschool program so he's slowly starting to get back on his feet.
He is determined to achieve his goal of finishing school and having a full-time job, a car and a place to live within three years. He needs only to look at his daughter to know it'll happen.
"Whenever I look at her, I see my fulfilled goals," R.R. said. "Everything's getting better."
Beyond a job and car, R.R.'s most pressing need is a hide-a-bed couch so he and his daughter can get off the floor. "My place is too small for a bed," he said. "Right now, we're sleeping on a mattress on the floor and the mattress is worn out."
R.R. could also use a microwave oven. "The one we have is used, maybe seventh-hand, and it doesn't work all the time. Sometimes, it catches on fire. I use it to make fast meals."
Our anonymous Santa has generously offered once again this year to match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund. Checks made payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.
Monetary donations 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 440-3804.
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Advertiser Christmas Fund recent donations:
- Marjorie Nickerson $5
- Beatrice Goodenow $20
- Cora L. M. Palyo $20
- In Loving Memory of Adam Moniz $25
- Kathy MacPherson $25
- Albert and Patsy Tanimura $25
- Maridell Alexander $50
- Thelma McLachlan $50
- Nyssa and Allegra Thompson $50
- Clara Foo $100
- Wonda S. Holt $100
- In Memory of John, George, Brian & Michael Becker $100
- Mr. & Mrs. Francis C. Jordan $100
- Tom and Kathy Macdonald $100
- Judith Pendleton-Coffey $100
- Michael and Karen Straskraba $100
- Kyle, Kathy, Kim and Kelsey Uyehara $100
- Robert and Sharon Ehrhorn $500
- Anonymous $50
Total $1,620
Total to date: $4,510
