LIHU‘E — Jill Faye Papworth was almost not going to attend the Lihu‘e United Church of Christ 42nd Labor Day Breakfast on Monday.
“A friend living at the Regency at Puakea had tickets,” Papworth said. “So, I picked her up and we both came to breakfast.”
They met up with the Sons of Kaua‘i motorcycle group that just rumbled onto the LUC campus to enjoy the traditional holiday meal and hospitality, when they saw Papworth with two teddy bears she retrived from her car.
“I want to hold one,” the group eagerly wanting to show off the teddy bears that Papworth had to illustrate her personal teddy bear drive for people on Maui that are recovering from the series of wildfires that started on Aug. 8.
“The Rev. Kerry Elizabeth Holder Joffrion of St. Paul’s in Kekaha just spent a week-and-a-half on Maui delivering diapers, food, and other items to people who needed help after their homes were destroyed by the fire,” said Papworth. “She got to see the destruction and devastation. Through all of this, she was asked, ‘Where can I get a teddy bear?’”
Papworth said the people of Maui need love, especially following the widespread damage created by the wildfires.
As a further demonstration of love and “kuddles,” Sons of Kaua‘i rider Sly Bisarra said, “This one’s going with me. I could use it on my bike.”
After hearing the pastor’s account of the Maui journey, and fueled by the enthusiasm demonstrated by the Sons of Kaua‘i, Papworth embarked one a teddy bear drive through the sponsorship of Kaua‘i Support Mission to Maui.
“The keiki could use love from their neighbors,” Papworth said. “To get teddy bears to Maui is simple. Use Amazon Prime, search MorisMos 3 Pack Teddy Bears, select $19.99, and ship to the ‘Care Van on Maui to “A Cup of Cold Water” Ministry to the Unsheltered, 2140 Main Street, Wailuku, Hawai‘i 96793.’”
The received teddy bears, there’re three that are vacuum-sealed in a package about the size of a basketball, Papworth said. On receipt on Maui, the teddy bears will be delivered directly to families in their encampments and shelters with a prayer.
For people who have a problem with what to put on the gift card, Papworth suggests, “With love from Kaua‘i.”
“There is always room to sneak a basketball between the boxes of diapers and food,” Papworth said. “The people of Maui can use our love.”
