Too often, fathers abandon their families and leave their former wives to raise their children. Kenneth didn’t expect it to work the other way around.

Not long ago, Kenneth’s wife left with no warning, leaving him to raise his two sons, ages 10 and 14. He is looking for work and doing the best he can, but when he ran into trouble paying utility bills, he swallowed his pride and went to Covenant House looking for help.

The three-story house on Shrewsbury Street was founded by former nuns Pat Hussey and Barbara Ferraro in 1981. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, the center provides a place where people facing hard times can wash and dry their laundry, shower, let their children play and maybe get a little help with bills, food vouchers and clothing vouchers.

Kenneth came in looking for help with his bills and some clothing for himself and his kids. When the subject of Christmas came up, he insisted that he didn’t want anything for himself, but admitted that he could use a few toys for the boys.

Kenneth — call him Case No. B1 — is only one of the 14,000 or so people who go to Covenant House each year. Caseworkers are seeking donations for at least three other families in need of help this season.

Specific needs for Kenneth and other families who are relying on Covenant House this holiday season can be seen by clicking on the Gazette Charities logo on the Gazette’s Web site, www.wvgazette.com. Covenant House is always in need of diapers, razors, feminine napkins, dry laundry soap, toiletry items and food staples like peanut butter, pasta, cereal, soups and dried beans.

Donated items for Case No. B1 may be taken directly to Covenant House, 600 Shrewsbury St. Staff members also are looking for volunteers to pick up and deliver donated items. To help, or for further information, call Phil Hainen or Annie Paisel, at 344-8433.

Donated items for Gazette Charities cases should be clean and in good condition and not in need of repairs. If you want to designate your items to a specific family, label the items with the case number that appears in this story or on the Gazette Web site.