After moving from shelter to shelter, M.C. would like to give her children something this Christmas that will make them feel like the difficult times are behind them.

Along with her three children, M.C. moved to O'ahu from the Big Island to escape an abusive relationship.

For more than a year, M.C. has moved from transition homes to relatives' houses. While M.C. was living with her mother, her abusive ex-partner found her and threatened her, said M.C.'s case worker.

Afraid for her life, M.C. moved into an abuse shelter for a few months.

But the family had to leave the shelter because it was being renovated. M.C. lived in her car while her children stayed with their grandmother.

The family was recently accepted into Weinberg Village. "My children and I have not had a chance to settle down and most of all feel like we have a safe place to return to at night," said M.C.

She would like for her children's lives not to be filled with pain, frustration and hopes that simple items like new clothing and toys this Christmas will help brighten their holiday.

M.C. needs clothing suitable for her to wear to work, said her social worker. She also needs a dresser and clothes for her 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old and 2-year-old son.

Our anonymous Santa is matching the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund.

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

HOW TO DONATE

Send checks payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817. Checks also may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch.

Material goods may be taken to the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.