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, 822-9882.
Help make Mary’s Christmas merry
The Kealoha family, Mary and Joe and their eight children ages 8 to 17, returned to Kaua‘i in November 2009 from the Mainland in response to a call for help from Mary’s family. Leaving behind good jobs, they arrived on island with the intention of staying with Mary’s family while they found work. Instead, Mary discovered the real issues with her family involved drugs, so the family moved into a shelter and Mary applied for TANF.
By the new year, Mary and Joe both had jobs, and they moved into a rental home with enough income to cover their expenses. To this date, all cooking is don on an electric skillet or outside grill (both purchased at yard sales). Mary strives to keep all 8 children involved in scholastic and sports activities.
Because of the expenses of this large family, Mary stated “with a large family, we’re not able to afford a Christmas tree this year” and because her children all want to learn to cook they would appreciate any cookware (pots, pans), or bakeware (cake pans, cookie sheets, and so on) they could use to prepare a Christmas meal. (B1)
Give the Waynes a warm welcome
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne recently moved back to Kaua‘i to take care of their five young grandchildren. Mr. Wayne found a job and works hard to provide for his newly enlarged family and his wife takes care of the family at home. It has been really hard for the grand children to get used to the new family rules and it’s been very hard for the grandparents to get used to all the noise five young children can make. Everyone is very happy to be living together, but there seems to never be enough food! Recently being qualified for the SNAP food stamps program is helping, but fixings for a special holiday meal would be greatly appreciated.
When the Waynes arrived on Kaua‘i, they were not able to bring very much with them to set up their home. Church members generously helped by bringing some furniture and other basic household items. With the holidays fast approaching, however, the grandparents are feeling worried they will not be able to provide enough food for the children. Although the grandparents would ask for food, shoes, and clothes, I am sure the children would ask for toys to have at their new home. Just recently, their van was destroyed in an accident in Lihu‘e. Grandpa is trying to get his produce to the weekly Farmer’s Markets.
Beth, age 10, would like a bike, Bop-It game, size 7 shoes; Koa, age 8, would like a skateboard (twist kind), and bike; Tani, age 6, would like a bike, glittery clothes size 7-8; Tina, 3 years old, wants learning games and toys and 1-year-old Niko could use some clothes and toys. (B2)
