LIHU‘E — The Garden Island newspaper and the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i are teaming up again this year and asking the community to help make the holidays happier for less-fortunate residents through The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund. From now through
LIHU‘E — The Garden Island newspaper and the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i are teaming up again this year and asking the community to help make the holidays happier for less-fortunate residents through The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund.
From now through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share stories of families who could use a little holiday cheer along with an appeal for monetary donations of any size. The names have been changed to protect their privacy. Funds raised will be distributed to needy families by Zonta Club members, who purchase gift certificates at appropriate businesses to help make these simple wishes come true.
Because of logistical limitations, only monetary donations can be accepted. Checks made payable to Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 3032, Lihu‘e, HI 96766. For more information, call Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano, chair of The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund Committee, at 822-9882.
Help brighten woman’s holiday
Misako was just about to leave her abusive 20-year relationship when her husband caught wind and left her first. She was unable to pay for the rent on her own fixed income. So now she is couch surfing between her daughter’s place and her sister’s house. She is unable to stay with either family member permanently. Misako is seeing a therapist to help her cope and build her self-esteem. She loves to fish and tries to spend at least one day a week at the beach. In the meantime, Misako saves where she can for her own place. She could really use new clothes, bedding and a comfortable folding chair when she goes fishing. Case # GZ/H.4
Family of 3 appreciates charity
Angela works full-time and is barely able to stretch her dollars to pay her family’s bills. They rented closer to her workplace so it is just a 20 minute walk to save on transportation costs. Alexander, her husband, is a self-employed carpenter who has been out of work since February and is trying to find a steady job. Kyle just turned 1 and is in need of diapers and clothes since he is growing quickly! They also have a medical bill from the hospital for Kyle’s birth, which they are trying to pay off. Alexander could use new clothes for job interviews, Angela would like to have a bicycle to get her to work and Kyle could use some baby clothes and diapers.
Case #GZ/H.5
Man wishes for new shoes, work clothes
Mark has been out of work for a good portion of the year and is homeless. He just got a part-time job in a retail position that will turn into full-time by next year. Mark deals with bouts of depression and manages to carry on with the loving and loyal devotion of his dog, Kei. Kei helps Mark stay upbeat about life and appreciate the little things. Mark is determined to find a place for him and Kei; he wants to save as much as he can to make that dream a reality. Mark could use new clothes and shoes for work. He mentioned his shoes were starting to “talk” and had to staple the soles to the shoe. Case # GZ/H.6
‘Ohana seeks food, clothes, diapers
Makana, her boyfriend, Elijah, and their one-year-old son, Kekoa, have been kicked out of Makana’s mom’s home due to a family conflict and are moving from one family member to the next for a place to stay. Most times they sleepover at her grandmother’s house, but they are not allowed to stay for too long. Elijah just recently got a better paying job, and they are trying to save for a place of their own. Makana and her ‘ohana could use food vouchers, clothes and diapers for baby Kekoa. Case # GZ/H.7
Small family would love holiday cheer
Alex is out of work and his wife, Sakura, works full-time but her income barely pays the bills. They have been trying to pay off a medical bill for the past year as well. Sakura works hard to keep her family afloat and would need some nice professional clothes for work. Alex and Sakura also take care of their grandson, Max, who is five years old. Max has been growing out of his clothes and could use some new clothes as well and drawing supplies for his hobby of drawing superheroes. Case # GZ/H.8
