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.
Young boy would love new bedding
Jason is a wonderful 12 year old boy who has very little contact with his father, if at all. He has younger siblings living in the home as well and they don’t want to have anything to do with him. His mother works full-time and spends her free time with everyone else except the kids. Jason does the best he can to take care of his younger siblings but it hasn’t been easy. He loves to draw, play sports, and he is striving to do well in school. Bedding and art supplies would be great for this young man. Case # GZ/F.11
Art supplies would help active boy
Robert is a young boy who is currently living with a foster care family who struggles on a day-to-day basis to make him happy. He is a very active little guy who needs a lot of attention. He loves to go to school. Robert is a very good artist. He would benefit from his own set of art supplies as this is Robert’s way of expressing his feelings. He would also like to have some new clothes and shoes. Case # GZ/F.12
Single mom needs baby supplies
Alethia is a 20-year-old single mother of a young baby. She herself has been shuffled around since she was a child and did not want that for her own child. She is struggling to raise her as a single mother, but at the same time has secured a part-time job and has gone back to school. Alethia is in need of baby items like diapers, wipes and baby clothes. She is also using the Kaua‘i Bus as her mode of transportation. This young lady never complains; she is just trying to do what is best for herself and her baby. Case # GZ/F.13
New clothes would cheer family
Lolly has a household of family who lives with her. Her son and daughter are unemployed and she is the primary source of income. She also has physical ailments that require many hospital visits and bills. They could definitely enjoy some nice new clothes for the holidays. Case # GZ/G.1
Kupuna always helping others
Fanny is elderly and lives with her daughter who suffers from emotional issues and her granddaughter who just has a baby. None of them work and live in a very small house and rely on Fanny’s income for food, rent and now the baby’s needs. Fanny has needs of her own, but is always thinking of her other family members before her own. New clothes for the holidays would bring her some happiness. Case # GZ/G.2
Times are tight for elderly man
Smiley is an elderly man who lives with his daughter and granddaughter. He recently suffered a stroke which has caused his daughter to quit her job to care for him. They are now living on his income which barely covers their rent and other monthly expenses. This has caused stress and great financial hardship on the family which is taking a toll on the daughter who is experiencing signs of depression. Case # GZ/G.3
Brighten holidays for mom, son
Gladdy lives with her son in a very moderate home. They both have very limited income which is used for groceries, medication and insurance which leaves them very little for any extras. Gladdy is also experiencing signs of dementia which is making her depressed and taking a toll on her son. Case # GZ/G.4
Mother, daughter trying to get by
Miss Sue is elderly, and suffers from dementia and severe arthritis. She lives with her daughter who is also disabled with memory problems. Between the both of them, their monthly income is used for the basics such as food, medication, medical bills and rent. They try their best to care for each other, maintain their household with minimal support from other family members, and cope day to day. Case # GZ/G.5
Women struggles with health issues
Nelly Girl is single, lives with her brother, and goes to dialysis three times a week. She is also challenged with diabetes and dementia which makes her unable to work. She relies on her monthly disability income to pay for groceries, utilities, and her daily medication which leaves her very little to spend on herself. Case # GZ/G.6
New clothes would help family
Bell lives with her daughter and her husband. Bell has been very independent, but recently suffered a mild stroke which has made her dependent on her daughter. Her daughter and her husband are also elderly and have major medical problems. They go to the doctor very often, requiring medication which depletes their monthly income. This has brought much hardships and financial stress in their once happy and secure lives. New clothes would help this family. Case # GZ/G.7
New blanket could bring joy
Aloha Man lives with his extended family in a very small house. His income helps to feed his family as many of them are unemployed. He also suffers from medical problems and early Alzheimer’s which requires very expensive medication. A new blanket would bring some comfort for him. Case # GZ/G.8
A new sweater would bring warmth
Joe Son recently moved into a care home, he has no family on the island and depends on his caregiver for total support. Since his income is used for the care home, he has very little left for any fun extras. A new sweater would help during the winter months. Case # GZ/G.9
