LIHUE — With the holidays quickly approaching, and especially with one fewer week to raise donations between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands Division on Wednesday requested donations and volunteer support from Hawaii’s businesses and the public to help those in need this holiday season.
“We humbly ask Hawaii’s businesses and the public to join us in the ‘Fight for Good’ as we help those in need this Christmas season,” said Maj. Jeff Martin, divisional leader for The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands Division. “We are seeking monetary and in-kind donations as well as volunteers. Volunteer bell ringers are particularly needed to help us keep Red Kettles out in communities as much as possible.”
Among the opportunities for supporting those in need during the 2019 holiday season include:
Angel Trees
The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, supported by Central Pacific Bank, provides new clothing or toys for keiki and gifts for seniors in need through the support of donors. Christmas trees are decorated with paper angel tag ornaments with the first name, age and gender of a keiki or senior in need of presents. Donors can select one or more tags from the Angel Tree and purchase appropriate gifts for keiki or senior described on the tags.
Last year, CPB collected more than $190,000 in monetary and gift donations for the Angel Tree program.
Holiday Canisters
Aloha Petroleum will be collecting funds at its Aloha Island Mart convenience stores, located at Aloha and Shell fuel stations, from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. The donations will help The Salvation Army provide basic-needs assistance to the people of Hawaii. Aloha Island Marts are located on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island. Funds will stay in the communities where they are donated.
Red Kettles
The sights and sounds of The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles and bell ringers are synonymous with the holiday season. Red Kettle donations support community-based programs in the area of each island where each donation is made. Volunteer bell ringers are needed.
Share a Holiday Feast
From Oct. 31 through Dec. 31, customers at all Foodland and Sack N Save stores in Hawaii will be able to make donations at checkout through Foodland’s “Share a Holiday Feast” program to help those less fortunate in Hawaii. Those donations will be turned into Foodland gift certificates and distributed by The Salvation Army to families in need on each island where the donations were received.
Volunteers needed
Volunteers are the heartbeat of The Salvation Army. During the holidays, there are many ways to be involved in volunteering.
Year-end giving
Year-end gifts can significantly reduce a donor’s income taxes while providing support to those in need and the many programs in communities across Hawaii. Sustaining monthly gifts can help Fight For Good and help those in need all year long. Funds are tracked by ZIP code and stay in the communities in which they are donated.
Info: hawaii.salvationarmy.org or 808-988-2136
