For the 34th year, The Garden Island newspaper and the Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation team up for the Christmas Fund.
The two organizations have partnered to raise funds for people in the community in need of support through the help of various nonprofit agencies.
With the help of seven agencies providing stories of families and individuals that could use the help during the holiday season, the Christmas Fund generated $75,000 in donations that helped 151 children and 223 adults have a brighter Christmas in 2023.
“As the economy has spiraled, we know there are those who have difficulty providing the bare necessities,” said Cyndi Ayonon, Zonta Club of Kauai Christmas Fund chair since 2019. “The Christmas Fund will help as a holiday surprise for many.”
Through Christmas Eve, TGI will share daily, front-page stories about families facing challenges 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 distributed through the social service agencies.
Some of the agencies include the Agency on Elderly Affairs, Women in Need, Developmental Disabilities, Kauai Economic Opportunity, Catholic Charities, the YWCA of Kauai, and Child and Family Services. All of the agencies must be designated a 501(c)(3), and submit applications through case and/or social workers. The applications must also meet certain criteria.
Each donation is accounted for and recorded. There are no administrative costs involved for the donor, and all funds go directly toward the purchase of gift certificates for those who need them for Christmas presents and essential goods like groceries.
Those interested in holding a fundraising event benefiting the Christmas Fund can notify the Zonta Club or TGI to help spread the word. Anyone making a donation of $200 or more can have their photo published in TGI if they inform Zonta.
Contributions can be done online at www.Zonta-Kauai.org. Or checks can be made out to: The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, P.O.Box 3032, Lihue, HI 96766.
“As the Zonta Club of Kauai continues to empower women leaders through service and advocacy, we extend our warmest mahalo to those who contribute to this cause today, and in the past,” Ayonon said.
The Zonta Club of Kauai was formed on April 1, 1952. In the 1980s, the club added the Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, a nonprofit for fundraising. All Zonta clubs are members of Zonta International which is active in 63 countries. Zonta International has been in existence for more than 104 years.
