CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- After losing her husband to cancer recently, life just got even harder for Annie, a 40-year-old mother of two girls, ages 10 and 13. On just her income alone, Annie wasn't able to pay the mortgage on the family's home. She ended up losing not only the house, but also her car, and then her job.

The family has moved into low-income housing, and Annie managed to buy a used car, which enabled her to become employed again. Since her new job only pays minimum wage, though, the family still struggles.

Annie and her girls need household items (blankets and sheets, towels, washcloths, cookware and utensils) and the girls are in need of clothing. The 10-year-old needs size-12 pants, size-12 tops, and size-3 (ladies') shoes. The 13-year-old girl needs medium-size ladies shirts, size 14 jeans, and size-6 ladies' shoes.

Those wanting to donate items should take their items to the Children's Home Society, at 1145 Greenbrier St., Charleston from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To assist the Children's Home staff members with sorting donations during this hectic time of year, it would be greatly appreciated if donors could package like-sized items together and label them with the size.

For more information, contact Scott Foley, Children's Home Society's site manager, at 304-348-3894 or via email at sfoley@childhswv.org.

Monetary donations for Annie and her family can be made through the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301. Credit card donations can be made online by clicking on the Gazette Charities logo at www.wvgazette.com.

Reach Karin Fuller at karinfuller@cnpapers.com">karinfuller@cnpapers.com.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- After losing her husband to cancer recently, life just got even harder for Annie, a 40-year-old mother of two girls, ages 10 and 13. On just her income alone, Annie wasn't able to pay the mortgage on the family's home. She ended up losing not only the house, but also her car, and then her job.

The family has moved into low-income housing, and Annie managed to buy a used car, which enabled her to become employed again. Since her new job only pays minimum wage, though, the family still struggles.

Annie and her girls need household items (blankets and sheets, towels, washcloths, cookware and utensils) and the girls are in need of clothing. The 10-year-old needs size-12 pants, size-12 tops, and size-3 (ladies') shoes. The 13-year-old girl needs medium-size ladies shirts, size 14 jeans, and size-6 ladies' shoes.

Those wanting to donate items should take their items to the Children's Home Society, at 1145 Greenbrier St., Charleston from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To assist the Children's Home staff members with sorting donations during this hectic time of year, it would be greatly appreciated if donors could package like-sized items together and label them with the size.

For more information, contact Scott Foley, Children's Home Society's site manager, at 304-348-3894 or via email at sfoley@childhswv.org.

Monetary donations for Annie and her family can be made through the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301. Credit card donations can be made online by clicking on the Gazette Charities logo at www.wvgazette.com.

Reach Karin Fuller at karinfuller@cnpapers.com">karinfuller@cnpapers.com.