Posted on: Thursday, December 9, 2004
ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Mother working hard to start new life
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
O.M. is a single parent who has two sons, a lot of debt and two jobs.
Her first job starts at 9 a.m. She has two hours to spend with the kids in the afternoon, then goes to her second job, where she works all the hours she can.
Sometimes she works until 2 a.m.
It's tough, but it's better than it once was.
Two years ago, O.M.'s husband of 12 years left her. The family was already having financial problems at that time.
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. She used her nights alone in the elements to clear her head, and to remember who she was and what she had left in her life.
When a friend offered her and the children a place to stay, O.M. used the opportunity to start again.
She got a job, and then another. She bought a used car. Finally, she found an apartment for herself and her sons, ages 9 and 12. One day, she would like to go to college.
Meanwhile, she's getting the bills paid down, and trying to get some stability in her children's lives.
The family needs a dresser so they won't have to store their clothes in crates. They need towels and queen-sized bedding for the bed they share.
The boys are growing fast and need new clothes and shoes.
The kids would like bicycles and a radio for Christmas.
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:
Total: $860
Previous total: $16,371 Total to date: $17,231
"There is nobody else to pay the bills," she said. "The hours get kind of crazy."
O.M. ended up living on the beach. Her children slept at an in-law's house, and O.M. picked them up each morning and returned them at bedtime.
How to help
