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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, December 17, 2004

Beach towels can warm hearts, too

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Depression can turn anyone's life upside-down, but when the person suffering is a single parent, life can be especially difficult.

R.B., the mother of six children, two of whom still live at home, is out of an abusive relationship. But the depression lingers, complicated by a back injury that has reduced her mobility.

She tries to hide her problems from her 9- and 6-year-old daughters.

"Girls want to grow up too quickly," she said. "I want to make sure they don't take care of Mommy."

She makes sure the girls are in school on time every day, makes a good dinner for them every evening and puts them to bed at the same time every night.

The family lives on a tiny budget, and R.B. has not had the gas turned on in her apartment because she can't afford to pay the bill.

How to help

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.

"I have $62 a month for toiletries, utilities — everything but food," she said.

A hot plate serves to heat water for bathing and to cook the family meals.

The family needs a portable electric oven, a vacuum cleaner and a belt for a washing machine. They need roach traps, and grocery store gift certificates would come in handy.

The girls would love to have some clothes.

If they each had a large, warm beach towel to wrap up in while riding home in an air-conditioned bus, R.B. would be less apprehensive about taking them to the beach — one of the few outings they can afford.

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:

  • In Memory of Henry Walker Jr. $250
  • P.T. Shinagawa and Family $110
  • Walter Y. & Betty B. Harimoto $100
  • In Memory of Jinkichi & Haruyo Okada $100
  • In Memory of Lance Pennington $100
  • Mary Ann & R. Peter Knerr $100
  • Zachary & Nicole Semaskvich $100
  • Stanley K. Yamashita $100
  • Pamela Schildknecht $90
  • HawaiiState.com $80
  • Shari Endo $50
  • Alvin K. & Bertha N. Fujioka $50
  • In Memory of Cody Nalu Akita-Nakagawa $50
  • In Memory of Grandma & Grandpa Endo $50
  • In Memory of Matthew Jee Yul Williams i Mom & Dad $50
  • Mr. & Mrs. Robert Itamoto $50
  • Lindsey & Rand Kuroda $50
  • Mele Kalikimaka from Alex & T.J. Schab $50
  • Fred J. Moore $50
  • Judith A. & Wendell K. Weatherwax $50
  • Robert E. & Marian R. Allard $25
  • From Tiana, Chasity & Preston $25
  • In Loving Memory of Dad $25
  • In Loving Memory of Eugene $25
  • In Loving Memoryof Glenn $25
  • In Loving Memory of Karen $25
  • In Loving Memory of Patti Ann Carroll $25
  • In Loving Memory of Travis Hosaka $25
  • In Memory of Edward Toshito Horita $25
  • In Memory of Kaoru Ogitani $25
  • In Memory of Prestin Tokita $25
  • In Memory of Yoshi Ogitani $25
  • Mildred M. & Wayne H. Kaneshiro $25
  • Dennis J. Kawahara $25
  • Lasar Hurd-McCabe & Patrick McCabe $25
  • Harry & Erla M. Hillen $20
  • In Memory of Art & Myra $20
  • Anonymous $250

Total: $2,295

Previous total: $35,811

Total to date: $38,106