Eight months ago, 18-year-old D.C. gave birth to twin boys. One was born with cerebral palsy and has been in a nursing home.

D.C.'s 21-year-old boyfriend works full time as a landscaper while also going to school, studying landscape design.

Because D.C. lives in her parents' house in Kane'ohe with about nine other people, she hasn't been able to bring her son home from the nursing home.

"Once we find our own place that is safe and not as crowded, he'll be able to stay with us," she said.

Until then, D.C. and her boyfriend try to visit their son daily and stay in constant contact with his doctor. But not having reliable transportation has made it difficult, she said.

D.C. said she tries to stay strong, but without her son with her, she feels "like something is missing."

"Around this time, we start to miss him even more. He won't be able to experience his first holiday," she said.

The young family has applied for housing at many places. "We're looking for something we can afford," she said.

D.C. said that once the family's living situation stabilizes, she would like to go back to school and study cosmetology, and would like to do hair and makeup in a salon.

The family's caseworker said any donation will allow them to save for a new place. D.C. has requested a dresser so she has a place to keep her family's personal items, and baby clothes for her twins.

The caseworker said both D.C. and her boyfriend need new clothes, especially ones they can wear for job interviews.

Christmas Fund donations are used for families that need help making it through the holidays. Any money remaining after the holidays will be used to help those in need throughout the year.

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

HOW TO DONATE

Send checks, payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund," to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.

Checks also may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Goods may be taken to the Community Clearinghouse, 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. Call 440-3804 for details.

RECENT CHRISTMAS FUND DONATIONS

S.S. & E.S. MURAKAMI $200

LORENA MCGOVERN $100

WAYNE OHASHI $100

LINDA & BRUCE SOLL $100

MARGARET WILSON $100

BETTY & KEITH KENWORTHY $35

ANONYMOUS $25

BEATRICE GOODENOW $25

KATHY MACPHERSON $25

JAMES & REBECCA MCELWAIN $25

C.E. MCQUILLAN $25

MORITOMO HOUSEHOLD $25

MINORU & SETSUKO OTA $25

THELMA ULSH-COTTER $25

MARY LOUISE & DIANE BOYD, LAURA OPENSHAW $20

R.T. & LEIKO MURAKAMI $20

TOTAL $875

PREVIOUS TOTAL $6,380

Total to date $7,255

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.