KAPA‘A — “The whole community came,” said Josie Pablo, Saturday. “We had items overflowing the auditorium and outside on the walkway.” Pablo, the activities director at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, said there was an overwhelming response to the rummage sale
KAPA‘A — “The whole community came,” said Josie Pablo, Saturday. “We had items overflowing the auditorium and outside on the walkway.”
Pablo, the activities director at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, said there was an overwhelming response to the rummage sale from contributors and shoppers.
“People came very early,” she said. “We were busy all the way through.”
A variety of baked goods and food items attracted the crowd early, and as the food items disappeared, there were other ways to motivate shoppers.
“If you fill one of these boxes, you can have the whole thing for just a couple of dollars,” said Elaine Morita, a hospital staff member.
Funds generated from the sale benefit the Employees Association, Pablo said. It helps with expenses for the various events the employees host for the benefit of the hospital population that includes the long-term care residents.
“We’re having Grandparents Day, Thursday,” Pablo said. “A lot of the residents are grandparents, but not all of them have family here, so we honor all of them.”
During the Thursday morning gathering, Pablo said among the events planned is a lei presentation to each resident to help celebrate Grandparents Day, a national event started by Marian McQuade to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes.
According to the Grandparents Day Web site, the aim of National Grandparents Day, usually observed the first Sunday following Labor Day, is three-fold — to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
Other events that involve the Employees Association include the upcoming Lights on Rice holiday parade where the hospital engages its residents in participating in the annual event, the recent visit to the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair and beach outings to Lydgate Park, Pablo said.
Shoppers could choose from various clothing items, household items, plants and even a couple wedding dresses.
Items remaining following the day-long event were segregated for distribution to the hospital’s thrift shop and other community organizations that could utilize them, Pablo said.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
