J.M., a mother of six children, recently got the gas in her apartment switched back on after three months of going without hot water.

"Every day the kids asked when the hot water would be turned back on," J.M. said.

With the $500 a month that J.M. earns as a secretary, she barely gets by after paying rent on her federally assisted housing. Fortunately, the rent is income-based and J.M. can just about pay it each month.

But that leaves little to no money for other things — including utilities and household needs.

J.M.'s pastor last week offered to pay off the balance on her gas bill.

"We don't have a lot of things," J.M. said. "The way things have gone, seems like we don't have anything."

The single mother hopes to have a full-time job sometime next year.

J.M. has been separated from her husband for the past couple of years and has received no support from him for the children, she said.

She's hoping that when their divorce is finalized, he will begin to pay child support.

J.M. said she takes a lot of time off from work because of her 15-year-old son, T.M.

T.M. has been diagnosed with oppositional-defiant disorder, and has gotten into trouble at school and gone in and out of detention homes. She said she dedicates a lot of time and effort to helping him overcome his problems.

The single mother also has difficulty finding affordable childcare for her 3-year-old son. She often relies on neighbors to baby-sit him when she goes to work.

J.M. said the family needs household items, including towels, bed sheets and pillows. Her 3-year-old son needs new clothes, and her 5-year-old daughter would like a baby doll and carriage, and a tea set.

The 9-year-old boy enjoys remote-control cars and trucks.

Her 12-year-old daughter would like a portable CD player and new clothes for school. J.M. said her 14- and 15-year-old sons are hard to buy for and would like gift cards so they can buy things they like.

Our anonymous Santa will match the first $25 of each donation to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.

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

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.