LIHU‘E — Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share daily, front-page stories about families and individuals (we don’t use their real names), who are facing challenges and would appreciate a little help this holiday season.
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.
The following are some of stories we would like to share with our readers.
• Eden and Ezra have worked hard to finally afford housing, they have a little girl named Emma. Emma enjoys reading and playing outside. This year they would like books and art supplies for Emma and gift cards for food and gas for themselves to help move forward.
• Esme and Eli are a young couple, who hav3 found housing that they are able to afford. This year they would appreciate household items and laundry supplies. Gift cards are also appreciated.
• Frank is a single dad of a teenage boy (15). Frank works full time and still finds it difficult to afford any extras for his son. He is currently asking for art supplies for his son or games that they are able to play together.
• Antonio is an 83-year-old kupuna, who after 50 years in the same unit, found himself having to move.
After raising three children and the passing of his wife, Antonio had hope to spend the remainder of his retired life on Kaua’i.
With all his children living on the East Coast (Boston, Pennsylvania, and Maryland), Antonio tried his hardest to find an available unit on Kaua’i that met his limited monthly budget. Like most Kupuna living in Hawai‘i, the monthly Social Security benefit amount is insufficient to live.
Antonio found it even more difficult to meet SNAP eligibility requirements, as well as elderly services because of his mobility. Antonio, who is still mobile, has worked hard to provide for his family his entire life, but he discovered quickly the harsh reality of becoming homeless, hungry and alone.
Challenge upon challenge, road block after road block, Antonio tries his best to make ends meet. A resourceful man, Antonio can often be found gathering pepeiao (wild mushroom), pipinola (fern shoot) and other wild vegetables to cook with to cut food cost.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Antonio is in need of household items, such as dish soap, paper towels, laundry detergent, laundry baskets and toiletries, including bath soap, shaving supplies, shampoo, toilet paper, can goods, gift cards to purchase food and supplies.
• Fiona is a single female, who is trying to get back on her feet. She recently lost her full-time status at her job and is now trying to make ends meet. Fiona would appreciate gift cards for food, household supplies and laundry supplies to help ease the financial burden.
• Gia and Gabe are a young couple with three children all below the age of 3. They have found housing, but are still struggling as a single family income household. This year they would like to provide presents for their daughters, such as dolls, coloring books, toddler toys and art supplies. The parents would appreciate gift cards for food. Anything for them would be appreciated.
• Wayne is a 57-year-old single disabled male, who despite his limited mobility, maintains part-time employment to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, Wayne finds he is still faced with making difficult decisions when it comes to necessities.
Wayne is currently asking for household items to include laundry soap, dish washing soap, bath towels, shampoo, bath soap, pots, pans, dish rags, toilet paper, paper towels and a gift card to purchase cleaning supplies.
