With a $50,000 grant from the G.N. Wilcox Trust, Kaua’i United Way reached its 2001 fund-raising target of $550,000, allowing the organization to continue to help fund humanitarian groups serving Kaua’i. The economic downturn stemming from the Sept. 11 terrorist
With a $50,000 grant from the G.N. Wilcox Trust, Kaua’i United Way reached its 2001 fund-raising target of $550,000, allowing the organization to continue to help fund humanitarian groups serving Kaua’i.
The economic downturn stemming from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the mainland prevented some island residents from donating, but inspired others to step forward and give, according to Scott Giarman, executive director of Kaua’i United Way.
With Kauaians either losing jobs or having work hours cut due to a slump in the visitor industry, local charities fretted United Way allocations to them would drop this year.
That predicament was averted through an upbeat fund-raising drive last year and the grant from the Wilcox Trust, which realized “the need of the people,” Giarman said.
Meanwhile, some United Way organizations across the country reported being 10 percent and more off their fund-raising targets, Giarman said.
The money raised by Kaua’i United Way will be distributed to 21 agencies or non-profit groups which provide food, rental assistance, clothing and other services.
The funds, the bulk of which will be drawn from employee deductions, will be distributed from July 2002 to July 2003.
The Wilcox Trust also donated $50,000 to Catholic Charities of Kaua’i, Kaua’i Food Bank, Salvation Army of Kaua’i and Kaua’i Economic Opportunity for food, rent, mortgage payments and utility assistance.
The Wilcox Trust also donated $10,000 to Kaua’i Food Bank, which also receives funds from United Way, and another $50,000 to Catholic Charities of Kaua’i.
The money will help “keep people in their homes” and fed, Giarman said.
While some islanders cut back on their contributions to United Way after Sept. 11, new donors surfaced “because they saw the trouble we would have in meeting our goals,” Giarman said.
The economic downturn also didn’t hurt the Kaua’i branch of the Salvation Army, among the island’s largest humanitarian groups. Victor Lucas of the Lihu’e corps said bellringers from Koloa to Kapa’a collected up to 2 percent more in funds last year than the year before.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
