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.
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.
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. 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:
Total: $2,295
Previous total: $35,811 Total to date: $38,106
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.
"I have $62 a month for toiletries, utilities — everything but food," she said.
How to help
