Every night, the 20-year-old woman, her boyfriend and their 4-month-old baby share a thin pallet on the floor.

The woman isn't worried about herself, but she would like a playpen for her baby.

"Having a playpen would be a great help so that baby doesn't have to sleep on the floor where the bugs are," said the woman, who asked not to be identified. "We have no beds."

The woman's boyfriend, the father of her child, works as a cook. He earns minimum wage and barely brings home enough to cover their $300 rent.

The couple can't afford childcare so the woman must stay home with her infant. They rent a room from a relative.

Originally from Micronesia, the couple moved to Georgia a few years ago to stay with relatives, but returned to the Islands in July for the birth of their child.

The couple cannot afford any furniture, and would also welcome any donation of dressers or tables.

And the young mother said she would love some baby clothes that the infant could grow into. She asks for size 8 months.

There are no plans for a Christmas tree and no expectations for holiday gifts this year. Still, the woman said she is grateful for a roof over her head, a healthy baby, a loving husband and enough food to eat.

She is also optimistic the couple will be able to save money in the future, though she suspects that day won't come anytime soon.

RECENT DONATIONS TO THE ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND

G.K. Kagehiro — $150
Joseph Cuarisma Jr. — $100
Richard Fall — $100
Bill and Betty Fiddler — $100
John and Jeanette Hoag — $100
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Iwai — $100
Tae In and Kyung Hee Kim — $100
Lendio Ohana — $100
Helen Matsunaka — $100
Dr. and Mrs. Wilfred Miyasaki — $100
Richard, Fumi, Tyler and Jaedyn — $100
John and Helen Tamashiro — $100
Nancy and Wallace Tamashiro — $100
Ethan and Elyse — $50
Eugene Ogan, in memory of Stanley P. Hu — $50
Albert Schutz — $50
HD Construction Corp. No. 2 — $25
Catherine McLenahan, in memory of Dick McGurn — $25
Frank Terrazas Jr. — $25
Anonymous — $2,000
Anonymous — $50


Total — $ 3,525
Previous total — $ 8,175
Total to date — $ 11,700

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.