CH left her abusive husband. She and her three teenage children moved into a transitional-living shelter, where CH is getting help to deal with her problems, and the children are in a more supportive environment.

"I'm just thankful they have a place like this," she said. "They give us resources and information we never knew about. I'm in a support group, and I'm getting stronger day by day."

CH worries about her children. Her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. The daughter's relationship with the father of her child is far too similar to the relationship CH had with her husband.

One son would like a bodyboard, she said. The other son would like a fishing pole. Those gifts, she said, would encourage them to stay active and out of trouble.

The boys had gotten in with a bad group before the move, she said. They are doing better now, and she wants it to stay that way.

Her daughter might worry less if she knew she had a crib for her baby, CH said.

She said the family also needs a dictionary.

Our anonymous Santa has generously offered once again this year to match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund.