Peniamina "Peni" Lave and his wife, Cheryl, worked hard to improve their living conditions and increase their income to make life better for their daughter, Cherina, 4, and two sons, Keanu, 3, and Kelii, 13.

Living in a transitional shelter, the couple resolved to move forward, complete the shelter process and better their family's fortunes.

Peni , 28, found full-time employment and was able to pay the bills. Cheryl, 34, had also started working to assist her husband with the expenses.

Recently, the family was able to leave the transitional shelter and settle into permanent housing in Kapolei — although the move into their own apartment took a substantial bite out of the family income.

"Now, our rent is double what we were paying before," said Peni .

Then came a setback. Because of the current economic downturn, Peni's work hours were cut from 40-plus a week to 32.

The rent hike and diminished income strained the couple's ability to meet the family's basic needs. Still, they remain determined to do their best their family.

"I admire the support (members of) this family have for one another," said Christine Talkington Chung, the family's case worker with Catholic Charities Hawai'i. "They have managed to overcome their obstacles with housing, and their efforts have paid off."

But there will be nothing left over to pay for gifts this season. The Laves are hoping for help so Cherina can find a doll, Keanu a toy truck, and Kelii a board game or books in their stockings on Christmas Day.

"Peni and Cheryl want ... a good Christmas for their children," said Talkington Chung.