ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Two families stay focused on basics

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Y.A. and her three children live with her parents.

It's crowded, but doubling up is helping the two families to survive.

Y.A. was divorced earlier this year. All her belongings were destroyed in the breakup.

"It was for the best," Y.A. said of the divorce. "Staying in that kind of environment wasn't good for the kids."

Y.A.'s mother suffers from arthritis and other disabling ailments, so Y.A. helps to care for her.

Y.A.'s father works to support the family.

"Whatever he brings home goes to the bills," she said. "We're lucky if there is anything left over."

Y.A. hopes things will be better someday. She'd like to go to school and become a nurse. For now, the 23-year-old is just focused on the basics.

Y.A. needs diapers for her two youngest children, a 17-month-old girl and a 6-month-old boy. Her children need clothes and the family needs bed sheets.

Her 4-year-old daughter — and the younger children as well — would like educational toys.

"Something that would make her feel pampered," Y.A. said. "Like a haircut."

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 to The Advertiser Christmas Fund

• Roy K. Kuboyama $500
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Total $7,445.00

Previous total $69,411.44

Total to date $76,856.44