In addition to caring for her 6-month-old son, L.P. is also the legal guardian of her 9-year-old nephew and 7-year-old niece.

Finances have been a struggle. She attends college in hopes of increasing her opportunity to find a job to support her family. They live in a small studio apartment in transitional housing downtown.

The family of four takes turns sleeping on a twin-size bed and a thin mat on the uncarpeted floor.

L.P. would appreciate a portable crib for her infant son. She fears he will roll off the bed. She has a difficult time sleeping at night because she worries he will fall onto the floor.

She also said the family needs another bed, preferably a twin or full size.

Clothes and toys would help brighten the youngsters' lives. The older children have few clothes and they are old, tight and stained. They have little in the way of toys.

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

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.

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.

Material goods may be taken to the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.