ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Beds, clothing would ease struggle
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
L.L. lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her two daughters, ages 13 and 15, and her 8-year-old son.
Everyone sleeps on the floor.
"We had beds," L.L. said, "but I had to throw them out because they had bedbugs. We were sleeping and squishing."
L.L. is married, but her husband is in prison. She doesn't expect him back for at least five years.
She works hard to raise her children, putting in long hours at a food-distribution business and returning home well after dark.
Family members help her look after the kids.
To donate, send checks payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817. Monetary donations also may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Goods can be donated at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.
Her oldest daughter suffers seizures, and has to take special medicine to keep them at bay. L.L. makes sure she sets it in front of her each morning before school so she won't forget to take it.
How to help
L.L. needs beds. Bunk beds for the children would fit best in their small apartment. She says she has pillows, but needs sheets.
The children have grown very fast and could use some clothes, she said.
Christmas Fund donations will be used for families who need help making it through the holidays.
Any money remaining after the holidays will be used to help those in need throughout the year. For information on how to donate, see the "How to Help" box.
Our anonymous Santa is matching the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund.
Recent donations:
- David P. & Marjorie J. Ihle $500
- Malia, Daniel & Michael $150
- From: " 'Aiea Boy in Idaho Falls, Idaho" $100
- In memory of Sakae Takahashi $100
- From Kyle, Kathy, Kim and Kelsey Uyehara $100
- Everett B. Young $100
- Cmdr. Philibert B. Akau $100
- In memory of Clare Mary Rienzi $100
- Karl & Betty Scholl $50
- Blessings Unlimited $50
- Mildred Guenther $50
- Lola N. Mench $50
- Gaylord B. Lyman Jr. $50
- Joyce A. Piercey $50
- In memory of Terry & Sharon $40
- George and Elmira Leong $25
- Marie I. Boles $25
- Homer K. & Angela G. Meyer $25
- Henry S. & Laura S. Arakaki $25
- Merna C. & Richard K.S. Chang $25
- In memory of G., T., A. and M. Seo $20
- In memory of Jitsuo & Akiko Kotake $20
- Samantha & Zadhari Poei $25
- In memory of C & R Chun $20
- Anonymous $50
- Anonymous $25
- Anonymous $25
- Anonymous $25
Total $1,925.00
Previous total $12,687.00
Total to date $14,612.00
