Zonta for Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

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.

Kupuna needs warm jacket, covered shoes

Maile is 80 years old and developmentally disabled. She’s lived in an Adult Foster Home for over 30 years. Although her basic food and housing needs are met, she’s left with only $30 each month for necessities. Maile would be so happy to receive a new jacket for the winter and a pair of covered shoes to keep warm. She also enjoys pretty jewelry, such as beads, etc. Case # GZ/D.13

Young man would enjoy sunglasses

James Allen is a 28-year-old male with moderate intellectual disability. James is a respectful, polite young man who enjoys dancing and loves music. James can be shy with people he does not know but is very friendly when he gets to know them. James would be very happy if he had the opportunity to purchase some personal items such as a pair of sunglasses. Case # GZ/D.14

Woman needs help buying clothing

Jamie is a 39-year-old female who has severe to profound intellectual disability. Jaime lives in her own apartment with many supports. She enjoys swimming and being outside walking around the yard. Jamie would be very appreciative if given the opportunity to purchase some personal items such as clothing. Thank you for any assistance you can provide to her. Case # GZ/D.15

Craft supplies would brighten holiday

Sandra is a 62-year-old female who has severe intellectual disability. Sandra is polite and is liked by her peers. She is happy and likes to smile a lot. Sandra would appreciate the opportunity to purchase some personal items such as shoes or craft supplies. Thank you for any help you can provide to her. Case # GZ/D.16

Personal items would cheer Sherry

Sherry is a 47-year-old female with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and severe intellectual disability. She lives in her own apartment with many supports. She is observant, persistent and loves peace and quiet. Sherry also enjoys being outdoors. Although she does not participate herself, Sherry enjoys outings and events when she likes to watch others participate in the activities. Sherry would be very happy to be able to shop for a few personal items such as clothing. Thank you for any help that you could provide her. Case # GZ/D.17

Help Jenny Leigh with her shopping

Jenny Leigh is a 45-year-old female with moderate intellectual disability. Jenny lives independently and has limited supports. She has had many challenges with relationships and has been having difficulty dealing with her emotions from things that has happened in the past and present. Jenny enjoys waking around her community and uses the bus for transportation. Jenny would be very happy to be able to shop for a few personal items such as a pair of sandals or a new top. Thank you for any assistance you can provide her. Case # GZ/D.18

Louise would like some new clothes

Louise is 27 and has mental retardation. She is on Social Security Disability Income for her disability. All of her money goes to the family to pay for her living expenses and for food. She is a very sensitive and gentle person. She would be very happy and appreciative of any amount that you could offer her so that she could buy some personal items and some new clothes. Mahalo. Case # GZ/D.19

Special Olympian needs a little boost

Rebecca is a woman who doesn’t work because of her disability. She receives money from social security and after paying her expenses doesn’t have much left to live on. She does participate in Special Olympics and that makes her happy. She would appreciate any amount that could be offered for her to buy herself some new clothes and personal items. Thank you very much. Case # GZ/D.20

Man just trying to make ends meet

Sage is 48 years old and has cerebral palsy and mental retardation. He lives with his cousin who takes care of him the best that she can. Sage has difficulty speaking and being understood by people that don’t know him well. He loves to be in the community and visit new places when possible. His Social Security check goes to pay for all his necessities with little if any left over. Sage would be very appreciative of any amount that you could offer for him to buy some new clothes and personal items. Thank you. Case # GZ/D.21

Young woman needs clothes

Barb is 18 and has mental retardation. She has been in foster homes for many years. She has had a hard physical life and one of abuse. She gets a small amount of personal spending money. She would like to be able to buy a few clothes and some personal items to help her as she is growing at this time. Thank you for your help. Case # GZ/D.22

Cancer survivor wants hats

Summer is 45 years old and has mental retardation. She has recently had breast cancer, has had to go a few times to O‘ahu for surgery, and has undergone chemotherapy. She is on Social Security and has very little money for any extras. She would like to get some new clothes and hats to help her self image be more uplifted as she adjusts to the changes in her body. Thank you for your help. Case # GZ/D.23

Warm clothes for winter

Lilly is a 32-year-old woman that has mental retardation. She is living with her parents and her Social Security money goes to pay for her room and board. Lilly would like to get some warmer clothes for the winter and a new pair of shoes. She would be very happy with any extra help she could receive. Thank you for your help. Case # GZ/D.24

Blind man has simple needs

Billy is a 48-year-old male who has some blindness and is mentally retarded. He lives with his sister. Billy leads a very simple life and doesn’t really ask for anything. He would be very happy if he could purchase some personal items and maybe buy a little extra food. Any help that he could receive, he would be very grateful for. Thank you. Case # GZ/D.25

Holiday meal would help

Phil is 27 years old and has Down syndrome and mental retardation. He participates in a program like school 5 days a week. He is not able to work and he would like to get some warmer clothes for winter and maybe be able to buy some extra food for a special meal during the holidays. Thank you for your help. Case # GZ/D.26

Kind woman loves to garden

Sara is 24 and has mental retardation. She is very connected to her mother and without her, her life becomes very uncertain. She is a creative person and she and her mother have planted some great vegetables in their garden. She would be very happy if she could buy some new warm clothes for the holidays. She is very kind and smiles a lot. Some new clothes and food for a holiday dinner would be much appreciated. Thank you. Case # GZ/D. 27

Personal items needed

Lex is 25 and has mental retardation and Down syndrome. He is on Social Security Disability Income. Lex is very happy and his mother is very proud of him. She likes to expand the possibilities of what he can do in his life and because she is a single mother she finds it difficult to give him some extras in his life. Lex would be very happy if he could buy some personal items at the holidays. Thank you. Case # GZ/D.28

Toddler would love toys

Paul is a 22-month-old active little boy who lives with his mom, older brother and family friends. They recently moved back to Kaua‘i and they have been looking for a place of their own but this has not been easy. Easter Seals has been working with Paul to help him improve in his attention span and speech. The family could use age-appropriate toys and household items to make their Christmas brighter. Case # GZ/E.1

Baby girl has many needs

Nancy is a 1-year-old girl who lives with her mom, dad and two older siblings. She was born with a health condition that has affected her development including her vision. She can roll over and is just beginning to crawl. Her family has been working with the Easter Seals therapist and public health nursing to help Nancy but it’s been tough for them. There have also been extra medical expenses as their medical insurance does not cover 100 percent. They could really use a nice holiday dinner and musical toys which she loves. Case # GZ/E.3