Families need a hand up in these tough times, and O'ahu residents yesterday held out theirs.

More than 38,000 held out $1 — often more — to purchase a newspaper, with proceeds to benefit Parents and Children Together, one of Hawai'i's leading private nonprofit family service agencies.

The collection, estimated at $46,000, this year is aimed at programs helping families suffering from domestic violence. These include the Family Peace Center, which provides counseling and support, a family visitation program to keep bonds tight between children and noncustodial parents and victims' crisis shelters.

And that's only a few of the 13 programs PACT provides, through social and educational innovations.

Almost 1,000 volunteers, including Gov. Linda Lingle, turned out for the annual fundraiser, which sold 5,000 more papers than last year. Among them: University of Hawai'i coaches and representatives from Isle businesses.

To support PACT, visit www.pacthawaii.org. For yesterday's outpouring of aid, donors all deserve a warm mahalo — for the sake of our kids.