LIHU‘E — The Garden Island newspaper and the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i are teaming up again this year and asking the community to help make the holidays happier for less-fortunate residents through The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund. From now through
LIHU‘E — The Garden Island newspaper and the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i are teaming up again this year and asking the community to help make the holidays happier for less-fortunate residents through The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund.
From now through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share stories of families who could use a little holiday cheer along with an appeal for monetary donations of any size. The names have been changed to protect their privacy. Funds raised will be distributed to needy families by Zonta Club members, who purchase gift certificates at appropriate businesses to help make these simple wishes come true.
Because of logistical limitations, only monetary donations can be accepted. Checks made payable to Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 3032, Lihu‘e, HI 96766. For more information, call Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano, chair of The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund Committee, at 822-9882.
Brighten a young senior’s holiday
Mrs. Kason is a young 63-year-old senior with Parkinsons. She tries her best to be as independent as she possibly can be. Some days are better than others, but living with Parkinsons can be awfully frustrating; not being able to do things on your own that you were once able to do independently. Anything to help brighten this young senior’s holiday would be a welcomed surprise. Case # GZ/B.1
Help Mr. Talman enjoy the Christmas season
Mr. Talman is an 83-year-old senior who suffers from depression. He lives alone and has no family on island. Most of his days are spent with his best friend; his cat. He has his good and bad days. Mr. Talman also suffers from arthritis. Anything to help brighten this senior’s holidays would be welcomed. Case # GZ/B.2
Spread some cheer to Mr. Dante
Mr. Dante is a 73-year-old senior who lives alone. He suffers from numerous health issues, but tries to get along the best that he possible can. He lives a simple life; spending much of his days alone in his apartment. Anything to help bring some cheer to this senior’s holidays would be greatly appreciated. Case # GZ/B.3
Surprise Mr. Nollan with some kindness
Mr. Nollan is a young, 60-year-old senior who lives alone. He has numerous health problems that keep him from being employed. He is frail, and spends the majority of his days alone and at home. Anything to help brighten this senior’s holidays would certainly be appreciated. Case # GZ/B.4
Bring a smile to Sumako
Sumako is an 80-year-old widow who recently lost her husband of 61 years and has been struggling with the grief of losing him. Sumako has children, but they all live on the Mainland and are financially unable to travel to Kaua‘i often to be with her. She has a granddaughter here that does the very best she can to assist but is overwhelmed with her own life issues. Sumako often feels forgotten and all alone. Just knowing someone is thinking of her this holiday season will help her feel more like she is not alone.
Case # GZ/B.5
Show a widower the aloha spirit
Alvin is a 78-year-old widower who hasn’t lived on Kaua‘i very long. Alvin had a successful business in Colorado but suffered a devastating stroke a couple of years ago and was forced to come to Kaua‘i to live with family members. It has been a huge adjustment for Alvin to depend on family members, especially since he was the one everyone else depended on before his stroke. Losing his independence has caused Alvin to struggle with depression but he is doing his best. Knowing others are thinking of him this holiday season would certainly help lift his spirits.
Case # GZ/B.6
Surprise Mr. Chase with some charity
Mr. Chase is an 89-year-old senior that lives alone on a very small income. Mr. Chase suffers with hypertension and arthritis that makes it hard for him to do his own house work and shopping. Mr. Chase spends most of his days alone and looks forward to seeing his only daughter once a week. Case # GZ/B.9
Lend a hand to Sarah, who helps others
Sarah is a 65-year-old female living alone with multiple health issues. Sarah has not had an easy existence. She suffers from several medical issues and has lost most of her vision. Due to struggles experienced by several of her immediate family, Sarah has financially been stretched to the limits actually going without necessities for herself in order to make her families lives better. Sarah could really use a little help this year to make the holiday season brighter. Case # GZ/B.7
Help speed up Ms. Tanner’s recovery
Ms. Tanner is 79 years old and lives alone in an Elderly Housing Complex on a fixed monthly income. Ms. Tanner has fallen several times in the past few years, has been in and out of the hospital, and on 24/7 oxygen (diagnosed with COPD). Holiday cheers will surely brighten Ms. Tanner’s recovery. Case # GZ/B.8
