Kimberly Tarpley says, "Thank you, Hawai'i" for the generous gifts, the bicycles and the hot dinner.

Helping Hands Hawai'i says "Thank you, too" to the many individuals and companies that have stepped forward and adopted families or made cash donations. From foundations to companies that offered incentives to its customers, the annual Advertiser Christmas Fund helped 150 families that were adopted.

Thanks to those who donated to the fund, the magic of the holidays was restored. Children — who otherwise would not have had a bike to zip around the neighborhood, a special Christmas dinner or new clothes — have something to enjoy today.

So far this year, donors have given $139,432 to the Advertiser Christmas Fund, said Scott Morishige, Helping Hands Hawaii program manager. The fund is down significantly from last year, when more than $200,000 was collected, perhaps reflecting the poor economic climate this year.

Donations to the fund will continue to be accepted through Jan. 2.

People have also donated such things as beds, dressers, washers and dryers, towels and toiletries. And while monetary donations were down this year, more good Samaritans stepped forward to adopt families.

Castle Medical Center, for example, adopted 20 needy families.

Adopting families is very rewarding at the holiday times and a great way to help the community, said Dave Rasmussen, Castle Medical Center director of spiritual life.

On Tuesday, Rasmussen delivered gifts to the last of the families adopted by the hospital staff.

"We've collected things from pens to skateboards," Rasmussen said. "A lot of the departments take great pride in decorating the gift boxes so it seems like Christmas. Our mission is to share God's love with the community. This is a way we can do that."

This year, the economy affected the cash donations, but not the spirit of the volunteers who have stepped forward with offers to help those in need, Morishige said.

"Despite the tough economy, I think that people in Hawai'i are always willing to lend a hand to others who need help," he said. "I have been amazed at the huge turnout of donors willing to adopt families and the number of people who have called to volunteer their time and to help out."

Some donors, such as Roland Kuroda, owner of Kuroda Auto Body in Waipio Gentry, stepped forward with a car for one of the families. He donated a company car used for errands. The 2002 Toyota Corolla had low mileage, came with a new tune up and new tires and breaks and gas for a year, compliments of other businesses that Kuroda deals with.

"We felt that we wanted to be a part of this and to support our community so that prompted us to move forward," Kuroda said. "This year is a little special because of the hardship people are going through with so many jobs being lost. That pushed me over the edge to step forward."

Tarpley, a single mom raising four sons ages 9, 6, 5 and 2, was thrilled to get some help.

Yesterday, her four children had a visit from Santa and members of the Mililani Sunrise Rotary Club who came bearing gifts and dinner.

"I just started school and I didn't even have Christmas in mind," said Tarpley. "They got my kids bikes. I haven't told my children yet. I'm keeping quiet.

"I couldn't afford Christmas this year. All my family is on the Big Island."

Two years ago, her 5-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare medical condition called lymphagioma of the tongue. It's not cancer, but the condition has no cure and he required a tracheotomy to alleviate the times his tongue spontaneously inflames.

"Life has been extremely difficult and unbearable at times," Tarpley said. "I've tried to make the best out of the situation and provide as normal a life as possible for my children."

The money donated to the fund is used year-round by the organization for emergency financial assistance to thousands of families and individuals.

BIG GIVER

One of the fund's most generous contributors this year was the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, a local foundation established by Ching, a former real estate developer and banker. This is the first year the foundation made a donation to the fund, giving $20,000.

Each of the foundation's five trustees as well as its executive director also gave $1,000, said Steve Gilley, executive director.

"We want to help the needy and the poor at Christmas," Gilley said. "We're very pleased that we're able to do it. We've been giving lots of bricks and mortar and to give to the Christmas fund will be a good thing to help the community."