POIPU — Around 200 young people under the guidance of Child and Family Service need help with school supplies, said Stacie Chiba-Miguel, senior property manager at The Shops at Kukuiula.
Chiba-Miguel and Denise Roberts of the KQNG Radio Group are spearheading an effort through the Kauai Guildas and the Backpack Bridgade to help these young people when they return to classes on or around Aug. 1.
“We’re off to a late start this year,” Chiba-Miguel said. “But the good news is that we are on track to continue to make a difference in the lives of these children.”
Nearly everyone has stories and memories of the excitement of going back to school with brand new backpacks filled with new school supplies. This is the purpose of the Kauai Guildas, an auxiliary helping serve the families of Child & Family Service Kaua’i.
“Previously, people who helped the Backpack Bridgade ‘adopted’ children and went out to physically purchase items and delivered it to the CFS office,” Chiba-Miguel said. “This year, helping the children is super easy.”
People can donate gift cards from Longs Drugs CVS or Walmart. The goal of Backpack Brigade is to present each child with at least a $50 gift card. Their caseworker will accompany the child’s family with shopping for school supplies.
Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to Child &Family Service, Attention: Backpack Brigade, 2970 Kele Street, Suite 203, Lihue, HI 96766. Contributions can be donated at https://www.childandfamilyservice.org/giving/onlinegiving/ with “Backpack Brigade” noted under the “additional details” section.
“However way you can help — whether you ‘send/purchase’ one gift card or 10 — we thank you in advance for your tremendous support and caring about these keiki,” Chiba-Miguel said. “Together we can make a huge difference in the lives of these children.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
