Mr. and Mrs. Orly are an elderly couple who have a lot of medical issues. Mrs. Orly is the primary caregiver for her husband, who has dementia along with mobility issues and several other medical issues.
Mrs. Orly herself has some heart problems and has been diagnosed with a debilitating illness that also causes her to have mobility issues. Their illnesses make it necessary to hire people to assist them, leaving little money for anything other than bare necessities.
A little extra help so they could get a few new Christmas decorations would surely brighten their holiday season.
Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share daily, front-page stories about families and individuals (we don’t use their real names) facing challenges and who would appreciate a little help.
The Christmas Fund is an avenue for everyone to provide that assistance. Donations are used by Zonta Club members to purchase gift certificates that are in turn distributed to families and individuals through social-service agencies.
Each donation is accounted for and recorded. There are no administrative costs involved, and money goes directly to provide for those in need of Christmas presents and groceries.
If you hold a fundraiser for the Christmas Fund, let us know and we’ll spread the word. Anyone making a donation of $200 or more can have their picture published in TGI.
Donations may be made by way of the website, Zonta-Kaua‘i.org, or checks can be made payable to The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation, P.O. Box 3032, Lihu‘e, HI 96766.
• Erika Green has had a difficult life riddled with abuse, homelessness and addiction. At the age of 68 she finally feels like she is in a good place in her life.
She has been able to walk away from her addiction and was able to find a small but cozy place to live where she feels safe. Due to the difficulties in her life, she has very little income to live on.
While she does receive assistance for some of her necessities, she would be so grateful for a little extra to be able to get some new clothes and a few decorative items for her new home.
• Jan Taki is full of aloha for all she meets, but recently she has been dealt a difficult hand. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen medical issues, she has gone from someone who was always out and about in her community helping others to someone who is unable to leave her home without assistance.
Even though physically she is having issues, she tries to keep her spirits high and continues to reach out to others to brighten their spirits by phone. Being able to get a newer phone or even an iPad or small computer would help her to reach out to even more people and continue to spread her aloha.
