Twins want clothes for brothers in their care

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

"My parents were never around for us," R.L. said. "We've been through it; saw what drugs did to them. It's what messed up our family."

The sisters don't do drugs, have full-time jobs and were recently awarded temporary custody of their two younger brothers, ages 16 and 5, after Child Protective Services took the boys from their mother.

"We didn't want them to go to go to a foster home like we did," R.L. said. "We want to give them a chance to lead a normal life. It's better they stay with us than strangers."

R.L. said her youngest brother, who is asthmatic, has had a difficult life. "Since birth, he's had to go through this cycle of going back and forth with his mom," she said of CPS intervention. "But my little brother is so special with his big smile and loving heart."

R.L. juggles her work schedule around her youngest brother's needs.

The family lives in public housing and is on a tight budget. R.L. would like a dresser and clothes for her brothers.

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.

Recent donations:

• In Loving Memory of Bruce Y. Yamashita $25
• George Iwanaga $25
• Max Minor $25
• Lucinda and Richard Pool $25
• Kathleen Rielly and Jean Leduc $30
• Andreas Arvman $50
• Mildred Guenther $50
• Henry and Annabell Yamane $50
• Doris and Ronald Higa $100
• In Memory of Vivian Minamoto $100
• June and Elbert Saito $100
• Anonymous $13.75
• Anonymous $25

Total: $618.75

Total to date: $15,264.75