LIHU‘E — More than 200 people raised $70,000 to help the American Cancer Society during the 5th annual Hoe-down for Hope fundraiser at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club Saturday night. Yvette Sahut, one of the Hoe-down organizers, said
LIHU‘E — More than 200 people raised $70,000 to help the American Cancer Society during the 5th annual Hoe-down for Hope fundraiser at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club Saturday night.
Yvette Sahut, one of the Hoe-down organizers, said in addition to the $70,000 raised, $5,300 was generated through the variety of activities at the Hoe-down, and Daryl Kaneshiro got his head shaved for a bid of $1,700 during the live auction.
Sahut said the $5,300 raised during the Hoe-down night will benefit the ACS Patient Services.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., was in proper western attire, even donning the garb for guest appearances earlier in the day at the Boys & Girls Club Youth Leader of the Year gathering at the Courtyard by Marriott at the Coconut Beach and at the Waimea Town Celebration rodeo in Waimea (where he delivered welcoming remarks).
“The Hoe-down for Hope benefits the American Cancer Society and patients statewide, including those on the island of Kaua‘i,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie in a message printed in the program. “The American Cancer Society effort provides quality access to care and much needed support for cancer treatment and support as patients work towards recovery.”
Katie Gallo, Laura Lee, and Yvette Sahut joined Katie Burleson of the Kaua‘i office of the ACS to chair for the event, which offered guests a fun way to help the nonprofit.
“As many of us know, cancer affects everyone, whether it be personally, through a friend, or even through a family member,” the event chairs said in the program. “That is why we are so honored to be a part of this caring and generous community, fighting to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients by creating a world with more birthdays.”
The western theme permeated the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club ballroom. A portion was transformed into “western main street,” where VIPs and guests could participate in activities, including the Steinlager’s Mug Shots where Rebecca Smith would take a photo and models got a take-it-home print from the print station.
A “mystery box” station allowed guests to select a gift bag containing a gift valued at $25 or more, and one held a special mystery grand prize. The “Aloha Termite’s mining for gold” allowed patrons 10 seconds to see how many “gold nuggets” could be found, a lucky nugget earning a $250 gift certificate to Nanea Restaurant at the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.
Guests also had an opportunity to strut their western attire in the “Wahoo’s getup getty up,” and it took some guessing and ability in the “King Auto Center’s guess the weight” of the combined two bales of hay and bull parked in the back of a new Dodge Ram truck.
Headlining the dinner entertainment, Cyril Pahinui was joined by Charlie Iona of the Waimea Plantation Cottages, Peter Moon Jr. and Jeff Ah Hoy.
Pahinui also supported the cause by offering an ‘ukulele for the live auction handled by Buddy Gibson of Waimanalo, O‘ahu, as well as several CD collections for the silent auction.
Last year, on Kaua‘i, ACS provided approximately 1,868 services to more than 250 cancer patients, according to a report provided by the ACS.
More than 5,000 people were beneficiaries to ACS educational programs and events at worksites, schools and through community partners, the report continued.
Additionally, 262 patients were provided with trusted information such as Personal Health Manager kits and books, 146 patients received life-saving transportation services to treat, including Road to Recovery rides, airline tickets, gas cards, taxi and handi-van vouchers, 54 patients received reduced rate guest room assistance, and 34 patients received wigs, hats, bras, and prostheses, according to the report.
“For nearly a century, the ACS has been dedicated to eliminating cancer, saving lives and addressing the challenges people afflicted with cancer and their caregivers face during the cancer experience,” Abercrombie said in the release. “Funding supports a full range of cancer prevention and treatment services, including education, advocacy and patient assistance.”
Burleson, who was escorting Lani Almanza, the Pacific Regional Director of Development (which includes all of Hawai‘i and Guam), said the Hoe-down for Hope is a bridge for the ACS Relay for Life events.
Relay for Life is scheduled for April 27 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on April 28 at the Hanapepe Stadium.
More than 264 cancer survivors, 77 teams and 2,100 participants took part in Kaua‘i Relay for Life events. More than $240,000 was raised to support the programs and services of the American Cancer Society, the report states.
Currently, 36 teams have registered for the Relay for Life, according to the ACS website, and 192 participants have already pledged more than $9,000.
Visit www.main.acsevents.org for more information or to register a team for the Relay for Life. Visit www.cancer.org for more information about cancer.
