On a cloudy, gray and rainy Thursday morning, a man walked into The Garden Island office.
He was here to donate a $100 gift card to the TGI/Zonta Club Christmas Fund that benefits hundreds of families and individuals, including many keiki.
The man did not want to give his name. He did not want his photo taken. He did not want recognition or even thanks. He just wanted to make a donation and be on his way. And he was, leaving quietly, just as he arrived.
It is this type of generosity that represents the aloha spirit on Kauai and enables the Zonta Club to do its very best to brighten Christmas for so many.
In the last three years, The Garden Island/Zonta Club of Kauai Christmas Fund has raised about $80,000 and helped about 2,000 families and individuals.
This year’s effort received a big boost when a donor pledged up to $5,000 to match donations of at least $150.
Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share stories about those facing challenges (we don’t use their real names).
One such person is Andrea, who moved to Kauai in the middle of her junior year of high school to live with her aunt and uncle but has struggled to find new friends. She had to move because her father was put in jail and unable to care for her. Andrea would find it easier to make friends if she was able to surf, which has become her favorite activity. Getting a new soft top board would reduce Andrea’s stress and get her out more to find friends.
Donations are used by Zonta Club members to benefit applicants to the program, and gifts are distributed through social-service agencies. Donations may be made to: The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, P.O. Box, 3032, Lihue, 96766, or by way of their website: zonta-kauai.org.
