The couple tries to get by on their own, but some months there is not enough money for food. So, worried about their two little ones, they go to their parents for help.

"The family helps out a little bit," said the 19-year-old mother, who asked not to be identified. The couple have two children, a 3-year-old and a 7-month-old.

The mother, who works part-time at a restaurant, said finances are too tight in the household to create a satisfying Christmas for the kids. To make matters worse, her boyfriend has been unable to get work as a welder. He said jobs for non-union welders are scarce during the holiday season, when construction slows or even stops.

In November, his monthly income fell to about $900. He had been making about twice as much in previous months. The couple pays $1,225 a month in rent. The father, who is 25 years old, said he is on a waiting list to join a union so he can get more regular work.

The couple live in a small Mililani apartment. They don't have enough money for furniture and haven't been able to buy their toddler a bed. For now, the 3-year-old sleeps on a futon. Some nights, he jumps into bed with his parents and younger brother.

In addition to a bed for her toddler, the mother is asking for a sofa for the living room. The couple also welcomes household items along with baby care items, such as diapers and baby wipes. Both children would also enjoy educational toys.

"We are regular family that just wants the best for ourselves and our kids — just like everyone else," the mother said. "We are both working parents trying to get by."

Lastly, the mother said she'd love an unwanted — but working — clothes dryer.

The apartment's dryer broke, and her landlord has refused to fix it. The woman said she is worried that if she argues too much, the family might be issued a rent increase.

For each of the past five years, the Christmas Fund has raised more than $100,000 from readers who wanted to make the holidays merrier for struggling families. In 2005, the fund raised a record $218,149.44 — almost $34,000 more than the previous year.

One generous Hawai'i resident, dubbed the fund's "Secret Santa," has matched the first $25 of each donation for more than a decade. Last year, he donated $36,000. He yesterday notified The Advertiser that he will match the first $25 of each donation for the remainder of this year's effort.

RECENT DONATIONS TO THE ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND

Kimi Hotels Inc. — $1,000
Kona Seaside Inc. — $1,000
Jill Mary, in memory of my Grandma Lucy Napela – $461
Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Brigham — $250
Tom, Kathy and Brandy MacDonald — $250
Edward Yasuda — $250
Dr. Donald and Kay Beyers — $200
John Severson — $200
Mr. and Mrs. John K. Collins, in memory of Joseph Collins — $100
Raymond and Kleona Corsini — $100
Mayfield and James Drorbaugh — $100
Employees of Nook & Cranny — $100
Ross Hakoda — $100
In memory of Irene M. Punohu and Ima Okubo — $100
Randall and Jean Jaycox — $100
John Lodge — $100
Garret Masuda — $100
Paul Mitchell — $100
I. Robert Nehmad — $100 Pat Nolin and Fred Noritake — $100
Leslie Usui, in memory of Raymond and Joyce Usui — $100
Richard and Julia Wong – $100
Harvey and Lina Yasuda, in memory of Emiko Fukuhara — $100
Dimetria Ventura — $80
Maris and Misha, Tasaka & Taylor Tajiri from Grandma Tasaka — $75
Judith Burns, in loving memory of my son Ronnie — $50
Corpuz Family — $50
Ron Harada — $50
Marc Kowalski — $50
Ayako Nishimoto and Sharon Otagaki — $50
B.J. and Chuck Schrader in memory of Paul Schrader — $50
Nyssa and Allegra Thompson — $50
Richard and Debra Wilson — $50
Gary Despars — $35
Merna and Richard Chang – $25
Colette, Noah, Micah, Maiki and Snoopy Naniole-Furutani — $25
Barbara Jean Ferreira — $25
A. Furumoto — $25
Yaeko Ginoza and Gai Kawatani — $25
Popi Harada — $25
George Iwanaga — $25
Annie C. Kau — $25
Joyce H.C. Lau – $25 Catherine McLenahan, in memory of Ken McLenahan — $25
Robert and Nancy Moritomo — $25
Margery Mulkern — $25
Crespin and Magdalena Pan — $20
Wallace Family — $10
Anonymous, in memory of Vivian Minamoto – $100
Anonymous, in memory of Karen Chee Thompson — $100
Anonymous, in memory of Jean Nishimura and Rusty Kawamura — $50
Anonymous — $40
Anonymous — $35
Anonymous — $30
Anonymous — $30
Anonymous — $25
Anonymous — $25
Anonymous — $20

Total — $6,486
Previous total — $18,395
Total to date — $24,881