ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Mother cleaned up her act and now needs help
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Help our neighbors in need |
By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Just a year ago, Deanna Tamura was homeless on the beach, high on crystal methamphetamine and separated from her two children.
It took her third baby Chazzarae to force Tamura to quit and straighten up her life. Today, the 27-year-old is clean and has a full-time job at 7-Eleven. Her youngest is 9 months old, healthy and happy. Her older children, ages 2 and 5, are living with Tamura's mother on Maui.
And now, Tamura is expecting twins.
The young mother said she barely has enough money for her rent at Weinberg Village Waimanalo and household needs. She is asking for diapers, a stroller for twins, a playpen, car seats and other baby-related items.
Her twins are due in May, and she is worried about childcare for them. "I have to maintain my job," she said. "I'm worried about a baby sitter."
Tamura says she would also like a few items for Chazzarae, along with her older children. She sees them every few months on Maui.
She said she would love to surprise them with some toys or clothes on her next visit. "Receiving these items will help me so much," Tamura said.
While she is pregnant with her twins, Tamura is trying to save up as much money as she can. But most months, all of her paycheck flies out the door.
She said her mother and father are financially stable and so have been able to provide Tamura's older children with a better lifestyle.
Tamura lost custody of her kids while she was high and on the beach, and she said she is trying to make up for lost time as best she can.
"I'd greatly appreciate any and all items our family receives," she said.
RECENT DONATIONS TO THE ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Ed A. Gross $500
Barbara and Marv Mathews $500
Warren Robens and Hank Dembiczak $300
Dennis Chew $250
Marian Liu-Ray $250
Aloha Chapter, AREA $200
Marty and Terry Jaskot $200
Teri Marcus, in memory of Ellen Kinney and Allen Marcus $150
Judy Jakobovits $125
Henry and Nancy Arakaki $100
Aunty Marians Grooming $100
Griffin, Walker and Amy Bolan $100
Simon K.Y. Cheng $100
Chiefly Co. Ltd. $100
James Edington and Patricia Gardner $100
Alvin and Bertha Fujioka $100
Toshiko Fukuda $100
Catherine Harris $100
Kathryn and Hiroshi Kato, in memory of Myrna Minatodani $100
Soichi Matsuoka $100
Rosemary and Larry Mild, in memory of Miriam Luby Wolfe $100
Eddie, GK and Susan Misaki $100
Rebecca Nadler $100
Larry and Yasuko Nakamoto $100
Neal S. Nakayama, in memory of Roy Sunao Nakayama $100
David and Lori Richardson $100
Gail and John Tsuhako $100
William K.C. Wong $100
MSMSTM $100
Betty and Mae, in loving memory of Makota and Fumiko Nagamoto $50
Edward and June Chun $50
Jerry De Clue $50
Beatrice Gould $50
Laurie Jorgensen $50
Ethel and Glenn Masui $50
Lucile and James Mistysyn, in memory of William & Margaret Smith $50
Florence DiBello Moser $50
Ralph $50
Laura Suehisa and Family $50
Fannie Wong $50
Walter and Sadie Yamada $50
Al Bunda $40
Gerald Nakashima $30
Helen and John Popovich $30
Thelma Ulsh-Cotter with love, in memory of a grandson $30
June Doolin $25
Barny Gomes $25
Kapolei High School FCCLA, in honor of Hawai'is families $25
William W. Lee Jr. $25
Carlos and Clarita Livica $25
Pets Are Inn $25
Suzi and Chris Pratt, in memory of Grandpa Richard T. Murakami $25
Suzi and Chris Pratt, in memory of Grandpa John W. Pratt $25
Jim W. Pratt, in memory of Uncle Glenn Baskin $25
Cynthia A. Pratt, in memory of Auntie Ruth Shinki $25
Alan and Adela Renninger $25
Karl and Elizabeth Scholl $25
Elpido Tablit Jr. $25
Jace and Brooke Vierra $25
Shizue and Russell Watanabe $25
Christopher and Judith Lee $20
Nalu and Mica $20
Lynette and Lawrence Chinn $5
Anonymous $100
Anonymous $100
Anonymous $50
Anonymous $50
Anonymous $50
Anonymous $50
Anonymous $25
Anonymous $25
Anonymous $25
Anonymous, in memory of Jinkichi and Haruyo Okada $25
Anonymous, in memory of Ichiro Okada $25
Anonymous, in memory of Ford Okada $25
Anonymous, in memory of Motonobu Okada $25
Anonymous $20
Anonymous $15
Total $6,235
Previous total $24,881
Total to date $31,116
Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.