Georgina Enos has been suffering with a painful tumor in her liver for more than a year. Her husband's injuries from a motorcycle accident are keeping him from the construction work he did for years.

Enos, who has four school-aged children from a previous marriage, is now pregnant with a baby boy. After rent and household bills, it can be a struggle to buy anything else, like clothes, diapers, even a shower curtain.

Still, the soft-spoken 33-year-old is grateful for what she does have — a loving family and temporary shelter at Weinberg Village Waimanalo.

Asking for help is something she and her husband, Donald, are not comfortable with.

"If there's somebody else who needs more help than we do, I'd rather they get the help," Georgina said. "I know that there are a lot of other people out there who need a lot more help than we do."

The Enos family is among those who will be helped by The Advertiser's Christmas Fund drive. The drive is a partnership between The Advertiser, Helping Hands Hawai'i and KGMB-9 to raise money to assist thousands of families who have fallen on tough times.

Beginning today, The Advertiser will profile Hawai'i families in need. They represent only a fraction of those helped by the fund.

One generous Hawai'i resident known as The Advertiser Christmas Fund's "Secret Santa" will again match the first $25 of every donation this year. The anonymous philanthropist has done so for more than a decade, and last year gave $32,600 to the fund.

Georgina and Donald Enos said the temporary housing they have at Weinberg Village Waimanalo has been a blessing for their family. Before moving there last year, the family lived in a van for about a year. Many people didn't know they were homeless — the family appeared well kept and the children went to school every day and on time — something Georgina is proud of.

But the couple worries about where they will live when their two-year limit at Weinberg runs out in June.

"I try to keep up a positive attitude, but it's stressful to think about where will your next house be, will you be able to have the money for deposit and rent," Georgina said.

So far it's been difficult for Donald, 43, to find a job. He has a metal plate in his leg from the motorcycle accident, and his leg becomes sore and swollen when he's on his feet for too long. He's applying for Social Security assistance.

"I'm kind of proud, and it's hard to ask for help," Donald said, his voice breaking. "When you got children, they need necessities, food, clothing and a roof over their head. It's hard when you cannot support that need as a parent.

"I would cry at night because I'd see my kids sleeping in the car and my wife sleeping in the car," he said.

He said he wants his children to be well-educated "so they can be in a position to make a contribution to the world."

Georgina volunteers at her children's school and would like to eventually get a job as a teacher's assistant. She said doctors will be able to concentrate on dealing with the tumor in her liver after she gives birth in March.

"I don't like to feel needy," she said. "We get by just fine, and I'm thankful for whatever anyone can give us."

In addition to disposable and cloth diapers and a shower curtain, the family's wish list includes a medium-sized sofa to replace an old, uncomfortable futon couch, a stroller, baby dresser, electric breastfeeding pump, an area rug and a king-sized bedding set. Georgina said it would also be nice to have a new skillet; the one she uses is old and tends to burn the food.

Her daughters' clothes sizes are: 14-16 (juniors)/4-6 (women's) and medium (girl's)/12 pants. Her sons wear medium (men's) shirts and size 14 and 12 pants. Georgina wears XL maternity pants, and Donald wears 42 men's shorts and XXL shirts.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.