She tries her best to be happy in front of her children and make them laugh.

But when she's alone — when she's driving to work or when her children have gone to sleep — the tears come.

The single mother thinks about how hard it is to buy clothes and shoes for her children. She thinks about how her sons have had to forgo team sports because she can't afford the uniforms and fees.

"It breaks my heart," said the mother of three school-age children. "But I just try to make the best. ... I'm just hoping. That's what you gotta do — hope."

Supporting her children has long been a struggle for the single mother, who asked not to be identified. Her income as a full-time waitress, a job she's had for years, doesn't cover much else after rent, bills, food and other necessities. Her ex-husband doesn't provide child support.

She's ashamed to ask for help but feels she has no other choice.

"There's so much more you want to do for your children, and all you can do is pray and hope that something special comes around to help you," said the mother, who also has two adult children, one of whom lives on his own.

The family also has been hit with some sad news: Her uncle, whom she was very close to, recently died after a stroke. Her older brother is dying of cancer and relies on a feeding tube.

Last Saturday, she was to spend her 48th birthday at her uncle's funeral and taking her brother to chemotherapy. Her brother is living with her until he can find a place of his own.

Despite the exhaustion and sadness, she's focused on creating a happy home for her family. She said she's thankful that her children are healthy and that the family has a home to live in.

She does "everything in my power" to bring laughter in the house, including dancing in front of her children.

"Just to see them happy, laughing, it makes me feel a little better," she said. "It's hard, but I can't give up," she said. "I just have to keep going."

The family is in need of clothes, bed linens, blankets, comforters, bath towels and toiletries.

Her three children have been asking for bikes so they can ride outside together, as well as a laptop computer to help them with their school assignments. The family also would appreciate a television if it's possible.

Her 11-year-old son wears a size 10 pants/6 shirt; her 14-year-old daughter wears a size 11 pants/large shirt; her 15-year-old wears a 34 pants/large shirt.

RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS

Karl & Mae Kawahara $125

Cindy Campbell $100

Derrick Miyasaki $100

Francis & Benjamin Mori $100

Art & Nancy Moss $100

May Murakami $100

Keiki Niwa $100

Patricia & F. K. Sekiya $100

Charles & Anne Swanson $100

Anthony Tica $100

Patrick & Tsungli Yu $100

Max Minor $75

MaiKai Hawaii, in loving memory of Arthur Hoover & Wilfred Chong Sr. $50

Eugene Kamimura $50

Ethel & Glenn Masui $50

Arthur L. Mori $50

Irwin & Gladys Thom $50

Carole & Radford Tibayan $50

Alice & Arthur Fink $25

Cullen Pang $25

Redge & Linda Roberts $25

James Sandobal $25

Kay Takaezu & Gail Thometz $25

Richard & Rose Yoshimura $25

June Yoshihiro $5

Anonymous, in memory of Millie Tucker $500

Anonymous $100

Anonymous $50

Anonymous $50

Anonymous $25

Anonymous $25

Anonymous $25

Total $ 2,430

Previous total $ 67,978.64

Total to date $ 70,408.64

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.