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.
New clothes would be appreciated
Mari Gold lives with her daughter, who is her primary caregiver. They live on a very limited income and have incurred many bills due to Mari’s recent hospital visits due to her declining health and major house repairs. They live very simply; new clothes would be appreciated this season. Case # GZ/G.10
A new outfit would bring big smiles
Cally lives in a care home and is very lonely since her family lives on the outer islands. She is wheelchair bound, takes medication for her many ailments, which depletes her monthly income. A new holiday outfit would bring a smile to her face. Case # GZ/G.11
Any type of charity would brighten day
Calla Lilly has been living in a care home for about two years. It has been very depressing for her as she recently had hip surgery and misses her family very much. They are not involved with her personal life, which is making her recovery even harder. Her monthly income is allocated for her care home and incurring medical bills, and leaves hardly anything for her personal needs. Case # GZ/G.12
Colorful blankets would bring cheer
Ann Aloha is in very frail health; her family is not very attentive to her physical and social needs. She lives alone and her living conditions are very bad as she is not able to clean the house or make any of the needed repairs. New colorful blankets would bring some warmth and cheer this holiday season. Case # GZ/G.13
Young boy wishes for punching bag
Miles is an 11-year-old boy who has experienced drug addiction at birth, domestic violence and sexual assault growing up. Mile’s mother is currently incarcerated and has been unable to provide for him, he does not know who his father is and lives with his grandmother. Miles has very little resources and does not receive any support from his parents. His grandmother works part-time to support him and other family members too old to care for themselves. Miles has been working on his anger and issues related to his abuse for many years now and is growing into a young man. He really enjoys martial arts and would like to get a punching bag to use when he feels out of control. Case # GZ/J.1
Ocean needs extra support
Ocean is an 11-year-old girl who has grown up in the midst of drug addiction and violence. She was taken from her mother at 8 months because of severe drug addiction and moved from beach to beach with her father who was a methamphetamine addict. Ocean has experienced sexual abuse from someone in her family when she was younger and has seen lots of violence. Ocean lives now in an out-of-home placement and has no contact with her biological family. Ocean likes mermaids and would love to meet a Kauai mermaid, she also loves to paint her nails and get ice cream. Ocean receives no support from anyone in her family and her current placement mom works 6 days a week to pay the bills. Any extra support would help with tutors and dance class. Case # GZ/J.2
Tuti wants to listen to music
Tuti is a 9-year-old girl who has been a victim of multiple sexual assaults in her family and from her neighbors. She has been witness to multiple acts of violence in her home involving members of her family. Tuti has a very positive and vivacious attitude that has helped her survive all she has seen. She really likes to ride her bike, go to Fun Factory and get McDonald’s. She has been diligently working on her issues related to sexual assault and is looking forward to being part of a family again in the future. She does not have any resources for gifts or money and would really like an iPod to listen to music when she gets upset and play games on to help distract her from the thoughts that scare her. Case # GZ/J.3
Teen wants to attend after-school programs
Westy is a teen boy who has been a victim of domestic violence. To protect his mother and his sister, he’s taken on the role of “man of the house,” suffering many of the negative impacts as a result of trying to help his family out of the terrible situation. Westy is creative and intelligent but has a hard time making friends. Westy likes to collect things, make art out of everyday objects and play with his little sister. He would like to attend some after-school or summer programs to help him make friends, but his mom has no money right now for anything. He also wants a new art pad for Christmas and maybe a Kendama. Case # GZ/J.4
12-year-old wants help to pay the bills
Tiki is a 12-year-old girl who lives with her mom and grandma. Her mother is seriously depressed and unable to work; grandma works overtime to support the whole family but still cannot pay the bills; her grandfather died a few years ago and the family has never been able to make it through. Tiki was a victim of sexual assault in her home and is working to resolve her issues, which include feelings of shame and frightened nightmares. She wants to be a normal girl, have a normal family and maybe get to play volleyball. She would love to be able to buy new shorts at the mall and maybe even a journal to write down all her feelings. Grandma has no extra money to send her to camp or to after-school activities or to even get her to visit her counselor sometimes because there is not enough money for gas. She would love to help her family pay the bills. Case # GZ/J.5
Shannon wants to buy gas for mom’s car
Shannon is a 13-year-old girl who has a family of 12. She was a recent victim of sexual assault and has grown up experiencing extremely violent encounters in her home with her father. She is learning to be a woman and is in need of outside support due to the chaos of her family. Mom is out of work due to a disability and she is unable to pay any bills beyond rent. Shannon would love to have a chance to ride a bike with her friends, travel to compete in Tahitian dance and give something to her family for Christmas. She would also like to buy gas for her mom’s car so she can come to therapy one time a week. Case # GZ/J.6
