The holidays are quickly approaching — stores are putting up decorations, and soon children will be carefully crafting letters to Santa as families and friends gear up for festive parties.

But for thousands of Hawai'i families who struggle to pay for basic necessities like shelter, food and clothes, the holidays can be bleak. Even simple joys or a toy for a little one can be out of reach.

The Advertiser and Helping Hands Hawai'i have joined again to help brighten the holidays for those in need through the Advertiser Christmas Fund drive. And this year, KGMB-9 has joined the partnership to bring even more attention to the cause and boost donations. First Hawaiian Bank will help collect monetary donations for the fund.

Beginning Thursday, The Advertiser will launch a series of stories profiling Hawai'i families in need. KGMB will also run weekly Friday profiles until Christmas to help demonstrate the need in the community. The families represent only a fraction of those helped by the fund.

Some struggle to buy things many of us take for granted, such as shoes, bath towels and diapers. Some need cribs for their babies or pots and pans so they can cook dinner for their families.

And the need continues to grow, said Helping Hands Hawai'i CEO Brian Schatz.

"You have a cost of living that continues to rise, and that's reduced the margin of error for a lot of families; many working people are one unexpected expense away from tragedy," Schatz said. "We project that the number of families we'll help this year will be higher than ever."

Oftentimes people wind up needing help because of unforeseen circumstances, like an illness, Schatz said.

"The stereotype would be that it's errors in judgment that land people in difficult financial situations, and that's just not true," he said. "A lot of times it's just a series of unfortunate incidents, and a lot of it has to do with healthcare costs."

FOOD, RENT AID NEEDED

Requests for food and rent assistance to Aloha United Way's 211 referral service have gone up this year, said Susan Au Doyle, president and chief professional officer of Aloha United Way.

She emphasized that every contribution counts.

"They really can make a difference in people's lives just by giving a little bit because as you put all of those dollars together they really make a difference in the community," Doyle said. "I think sometimes people feel, 'I can only give $10 or $20, what difference is that going to make?' Well, it can really make a big difference to a family or to an individual."

The profiles in The Advertiser and on KGMB aim to emphasize this need and inspire people to help.

"KGMB-9 recognizes that the holidays are a tough time for a lot of families in Hawai'i, and we are always looking for ways to help spread the message that this is a time when many families are in need," said KGMB news director Chris Archer. "By highlighting this need, we hope that Hawai'i will give back more than ever this holiday season, and we're proud to partner with The Ho-nolulu Advertiser and Helping Hands Hawai'i in this endeavor."

Last year the Christmas Fund raised $214,202 from readers who wanted to help make the holiday season brighter for struggling families in Hawai'i. The fund raised a record $220,861 in 2005.

People were also generous with donated goods, filling the Community Clearinghouse's Kalihi warehouse with toys, children's bikes, furniture and appliances. Schools and businesses took part in the giving as well.

"The Advertiser 'ohana is once again honored to work with First Hawaiian Bank to assist Helping Hands Hawai'i in their annual fundraising efforts," said Ho-nolulu Advertiser president and publisher Lee Webber. "We are also pleased to welcome KGMB on board this effort as well.

"For more than 50 years now we have worked with the community to help those in need during the holiday season. Last year Helping Hands Hawai'i was able to assist 17,087 people, and through October of this year they have assisted 13,178 members of our community because of your generosity. During this season of giving, look into your heart and then to your pocket in the true spirit of aloha."

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Holiday events with noble purpose.