ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
You can brighten depressed mother's holidays
• |
Help our neighbors in need |
By Loren Moreno
Advertiser Staff Writer
|
||
 |
|
|
After 26-year-old J.W. gave birth to a boy eight months ago, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression.
J.W.'s emotional problems now require daily medical appointments and medication, and have left her unable to care for her two children.
At one point, J.W.'s depression was so severe that she spent weeks in the hospital.
Her husband, K.W., works full time as a carpenter but is unable to pay for childcare for his children. Catholic Charities has been assisting the family with the care of their 3-year-old and 8-month-old sons.
K.W. struggles to pay rent on the family's one-bedroom apartment and they often receive help from charitable organizations to pay for bills. There are no other family members on O'ahu to turn to for help.
J.W.'s medical bills are also a burden. The family's social worker has been helping the family apply for public medical assistance, but the process is lengthy and J.W. has yet to receive any help.
The couple gave the two boys the bedroom while they sleep on the floor in the living room. "I wish I had more to give my children," said K.W.
J.W.'s 3-year-old son hopes Santa will bring him books this Christmas. He would also like crayons, a drawing tablet, or even Legos or Play-Doh.
The infant needs clothes and baby toys or stuffed animals.
The family would also like a small bed for the older son and a couch that turns into a futon bed for J.W. and her husband.
The couple could also use clothes. J.W. wears the same clothes all the time and her social worker said new clothes or even a haircut would possibly help her feel better. K.W. could use clothes to wear outside of work, because all of his clothes are worn out.
Christmas Fund donations are used for families who need help through the holidays. Any money remaining after the holidays will be used to help those in need throughout the year.
Our anonymous Santa will match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund.
• • •
RECENT DONATIONS
- Robert Keefer $300
- William Harold Roome $250
- Jeffrey & Kathleen Choi $200
- 3-Fold Craftsman Construction $100
- Allie & John $100
- Alvin & Bertha $100
- Susan Arnett in memory of Thomas & Jan Arnett $100
- Maureen & Robert Ballard $100
- P.A. Brandt $100
- Christopher & Cathy Brigham $100
- Toshiko Fukuda $100
- Mr. & Mrs. Frank Jordan $100
- Kaihi, Kiara, Kela & Kenna $100
- Molly H. Leong in memory of Herbert H. Hee $100
- Molly H. Leong in memory of Frances C. Hee $100
- Molly H. Leong in memory of Reynold Y.S. Leong $100
- Joseph & Fukuye Lukela $100
- Garret Masuda $100
- Sharon Muraoka in loving memory of Roy Muraoka $100
- Sharon Muraoka in loving memory of Florence Monasterolo $100
- Morris Nishimura in memory of Akira Nishimura $100
- Raymond & Judith Oda $100
- Allen & Laura Perry $100
- Ryan & Adelina $100
- Frederick & Patricia Sekiya $100
- George Takakawa $100
- The Bacani Family $100
- Anthony Tica $100
- TR Enterprise Inc. $100
- Cynthia Tsujiuchi $100
- Marna Rae Wickham $100
- Patsy Takayo Yagawa in memory of Ethel Kobayashi $100
Total: $3,650
Previous total: $67,910.90
Total to date: $71,560.90
Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.
